Elaine's Literary Salon

By Inkandescent Radio

Bibliophiles will love this new show — live from the popular bistro Elaine's in Old Town, Alexandria VA. Our host is the restaurant's owner, Jeffrey James Higgins, a prolific author who is on a missio... more

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The podcast currently has 76 episodes available.

Elaine's Literary Salon episodes:

June 01, 2026 QuinTango is coming to Elaine’s on June 3! Join us for “The Stories Tango Tells” — an intimate interview with the group’s founder Joan Singer and composers Ali Cook and Emmanuel Trifilio
Experience QuinTango: Alexandria-based music group QuinTango made its splashy debut on the world stage in 1999 at the Clinton White House State Dinner for the president of Argentina. Robert Duvall danced, and global news networks covered the event. The following morning, QuinTango received an invitation to perform at an international music festival in Costa Rica, and they were off and running. Twenty-eight years later, QuinTango is in its seventh iteration, still evolving and still excited to create and connect. Learn more: quintango.com
Ali Cook, QuinTango
About Ali Cook, bass: Ali’s dream of earning a spot in the double-bass section of a major orchestra ground to a halt when she was seized by a painful syndrome that rendered her arms useless at times. Forced to confront this fork in the road, Ali emerged from the experience healed, and in the process, discovered a trove of music and poetry within her waiting to be shared with the world. She moved to Austin TX, started her Americana group “Ali and the Wild Geese,” and released her first vocal album. Ali is now back in Alexandria, on the faculty of Opal Music Studio (bass, piano, voice and composition) and enjoys appearing with the National, Baltimore, and Detroit Symphonies when her schedule permits.
Emmanuel Trifilio, QuinTango
About Emmanuel Trifilio, bandoneon: “La vida es loca,” proclaims Emmanuel, sipping his mate tea, contemplating Amado Nervo’s poetry, and considering his life. A career-ending injury on the soccer field in his native Argentina allowed him to pick up his guitar and lose himself in music. Before long, the discovery of a bandoneon in a second-hand shop piqued his interest in tango and set him on the path to the United States. With the right instrument at the right time, Emmanuel has taken to the world stage as an acclaimed composer/arranger, and charismatic performer and member of QuinTango.
Joan Singer, founder, QuinTango
About Joan Singer, violin: QuinTango’s founder and director wakes up every morning knowing there’ll be fires to put out and glorious tangos to play. Thanks to a chance meeting with a Dutch tango musician some twenty-plus years ago, Joan combines a love of music with her Scotch-Irish story-telling talents, Quaker-based desire for global connections, and her weakness for glitz. She’s made hundreds of friends and enriched thousands of lives in the process.
About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host, Jeffrey James Higgins: A retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays, Jeff has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. Jeffrey has been interviewed by CNN, National Geographic, and The New York Times. Learn more: jeffreyjameshiggings.com
Find more of Elaine’s Literary Salon events here. And check back for new episodes of Elaine’s Literary Salon on Inkandescent.tv and listen to all the podcasts on InkandescentRadio.com.
Elaine’s Literary Salon is located at Elaine’s Restaurant, 208 Queen Street, Alexandria
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6min
May 29, 2026Policy expert and political operative Matthew Lavoie brings us his debut thriller novel, “Main Street Fringe”
When: Wednesday, September 02, 2026 from 6-9pm
Where: 208 Queen Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Get your free ticket: MatthewLavoie.eventbrite.com
We welcome debut novelist Matthew Lavoie to Elaine’s Literary Salon to share his debut novel, “Main Street Fringe.”
Our agenda for tonight’s event:
6pm: Meet, greet, and order food and drinks from Elaine’s award-winning menu
7pm: Our 45-minute interview begins, followed by a 15-minute Q&A with the audience to be produced on our popular podcast and video series
8pm: Guests talk with the author, buy the book, and get it signed!
“Main Street Fringe,” by Matthew Lavoie
Meet the Author: A policy expert and political operative for some of Washington’s most influential power brokers, Matthew Lavoie has spent his career evaluating the how and why of American political and cultural movements and observing some of the biggest shifts in American and geopolitical history. Main Street Fringe is his debut novel. He is a member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America. Learn more: MatthewPLavoie.com.
In tonight’s interview, you’ll learn:
How Lavoie’s background as a political insider and observer of American political movements informed his novel’s plotlines
How the normalization of fringe movements and radicalization in American communities and politics
How he upends the undercover agent genre, creating a character who uses his own identity to infiltrate a conspiracy cabal, with an impact that radiates from Main Street to the power centers of DC
And you’ll understand Lavoie’s reasoning behind his main character—a “regular guy” whose experiences place him firmly in the mindset of those he’s tasked with taking down
About Main Street Fringe: After a government vendetta destroys his career, a police detective goes undercover, as himself, infiltrating a world of paranoia and radicalization — with no protection for the ones he loves most.
What critics are saying:
“Main Street Fringe is a deep and thrilling dive into the dark heart of the current political climate — made all the more terrifying by Matthew Lavoie’s experience in Washington. This guy knows what he’s talking about. He knows where the bodies are buried, and that makes this a must-read.” — Rob Hart, USA Today bestselling author of “The Warehouse and the Assassins Anonymous” series.
“Matthew Lavoie’s writing carries an authentic, eye-witness feel for the movements and mindsets shaking the core of American life. Main Street Fringe is a phenomenal read.” — NYT bestsellling author Martha Grimes
About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host, Jeffrey James Higgins: A retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays, Jeff has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliba
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4min
May 26, 2026 Ep58: History comes alive: Irene Bennett’s new novel, “Battle of the Artisans,” portrays the making of the very real Bells of Marquis Yi, a 2500-year-old National Treasure of China. Don’t miss our interview at Elaine’s!
Meet the Author: Irene Vinyard Bennett has wide experience as a writer and educational minister. Her debut novel, BATTLE OF THE ARTISANS: Making the Bells of Marquis Yi, won the International Proverse Prize of 2022. It is the first story about the Bronze-Age Bells of Marquis Yi, a National Treasure of China. An international motivational speaker, workshop leader, and minister, Irene writes and edits academic articles for theological journals in Ukraine and Myanmar, lectures online for Myanmar seminaries, and works with young families of Western Presbyterian Church in DC. She has written professionally throughout life in eight states, several countries, and now in Alexandria VA! She loves diverse cultures, speaks some Cantonese and Spanish, and has taught English to immigrants in Georgia, Florida, and multi-ethnic groups of women and university students in Hong Kong. Her favorite experiences involved sharing educational methods with church leaders in Bosnia-Herzegovina, across Asia, and with many local English teachers in China, including the faculty of a school for the blind. Fun publications include feature interviews with an Olympic Gold Medalist and an international golfer at the Masters Tournament.
Irene shares: I’m a word person who loves to write about ideas and issues and create stories for readers/listeners of all ages. I’m also a people person with a sign attached, saying, “Talk, I’ll Listen.” And, along my journeys around the globe, I’ve learned to teach and lead people with clear, concise, concrete, and personable communication. I joy in encouraging people of any culture to become who they desire to be — a writer, teacher, leader, life partner, parent, or even a better Christian. My favorite compliments ever? “When Irene isn’t teaching, she’s learning.” “We always knew you would write a book!” Click here to follow Irene on LinkedIn.
About the Book: Battle of the Artisans: Making the Bells of Marquis Yi
“Battle of the Artisans,” by Irene Bennett
Battle of the Artisans tells the story of Tangtun, a conflicted, artistic twelve-year-old in 5th-century BCE China, who sets out to save his father from a killer. He crosses wits with his macho father, a vengeful king, armed thieves, and disgruntled villagers, and in the process discovers new powers that rock his Bronze-Age world. In the end, what matters most is not Tangtun’s artistic abilities or his father’s muscles and might, but the strength of acting together.
This novel portrays the making of the very real Bells of Marquis Yi, a 2500-year-old National Treasure of China. No one knows exactly why these bells were made, but Bennett offers a well-researched, persuasive solution to the mystery through her story of Tangtun and his village on the Yangtze River.
Every historical novel is an imagined introduction to a topic and a time. BATTLE OF THE ARTISANS invites readers to explore further the world and the science of the bells of Marquis Yi, to learn more about the early history of China, and to consider implications for the power of family and community. The author hopes that readers will connect with Tangtun and his world in ways that will enrich them and their own worlds.
Click here to buy Battle of the Artisans.
About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host, Jeffrey James Higgins: A retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, sh
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1h 1min
May 19, 2026 Ep57: Moms, daughters (and anyone interested in belonging, immigration, and body image) — be sure to read Rebecca Morrison’s new book, “The Blue Dress”
Meet the Author: Rebecca Morrison is the author of The Blue Dress, a novel based on her childhood as an Iranian immigrant trying to fit into her new American homeland and her family’s expectations of beauty.
Published by Macmillan’s imprint Farrar, Straus and Giroux, the book has received positive reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, and School Library Journal. and Rebecca has been featured on Good Morning Washington ABC7.
She has written about belonging, immigration, and body image for numerous national publications, including the Washington Post and TODAY.com (both of which went viral). Most recently, she wrote an article for HuffPost about the dangers of the ultra-thin cultural shift, especially for young people, which became the number one trending story on BuzzFeed: rebeccakmorrison.com
About the Book: The Blue Dress is a coming-of-age story based on the author’s childhood struggles with body image, a strained mother-daughter relationship, and what it means to be an Iranian-American immigrant. The story is about a thirteen-year-old girl, Yasmin, who comes to America from Iran and tries to figure out her new life and her homeland. She’s close friends with Carmen, whose family came from Mexico a few years ago. In her attempts to find belonging and feel seen, she makes some wrong decisions, the most dangerous of which involve disordered eating, but through a series of events, finds help and a way to love and accept herself in her body and her new life.
About Elaine’s Literary Salon: For Readers, For Writers
The top spot in the DMV to meet authors, Elaine’s Literary Salon was established in 2023 as a hub for creatives to come together for Author events. When publishing a new novel, nonfiction book, children’s book, and more, authors celebrate their work in the library of the beautiful, award-winning restaurant, Elaine’s. Hundreds of writers have come together for the events, as well as workshop and seminars who are members of E
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1h 3min
May 12, 2026 Author of the Cold War Thriller series Bill Rapp shares his latest novel, “The Prague Spring,” at Elaine’s Literary Salon
Today at Elaine’s Literary Salon in Alexandria, VA, we are thrilled to bring back to town author Bill Rapp, who began his professional life as an academic, teaching European History at Iowa State University. A graduate of Notre Dame (B.A.), the University of Toronto (M.A.), and Vanderbilt (Ph. D.), Bill has always been particularly intrigued by German history. He says the last 35 years working for the U. S. Government has broadened his perspective to all of Europe and much of the Middle East. His career has taken him around the world, including to Berlin as the Wall fell and Germany was reunified.
Bill shares: “I may have spent the last 35 years as a diplomat/analyst working for the federal government, but I began my adult life as a professional historian. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. in History and German, I received my M.A. in European History from the University of Toronto and a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. I taught history at Iowa State University for one year but then decided to shift my efforts to something less settled and moved to Washington, D.C. That career has taken me to Berlin, Ottawa, Baghdad, and now London, with long stays in Washington in between.
“Through it all, I never lost my love of history and literature, especially crime fiction, which I often read to take a break from all the history books I had to study for my coursework, thesis, and dissertation. Fortunately, I was able to apply that affinity for our past throughout my career with the government, while it also inspired much of my writing. You can see that, for example, in the Berlin novels, especially Tears of Innocence, as I spent several years there as a student and later as a diplomat during the fall of the Wall and Germany’s reunification. Even the Naperville private detective series (Angel in Black, A Pale Rain, and Burning Altars) draws on the local history and development of the Chicago area, just as Raymond Chandler and Ross MacDonald–the two paragons of American detective fiction, in my eyes–did in their novels and stories set in southern California.
Learn more about Bill here: billrappsbooks.com
Click here to buy Bill’s books!
About Bill’s newest 2026 book: The Prague Spring: Chief of the CIA station in Prague for nearly a year, Baier has been following the Dubcek government’s efforts to reform the country’s rigid communist system and move closer to Western Europe. On a warm August night, the Soviet Army rolls into Czechoslovakia to crush the reform program and ensure the country’s subservience to the Warsaw Pact. Baier must move quickly to protect his officers, his family, and his Czechoslovak allies and assets from death and deportation by the Red Army and Soviet intelligence. At the same time, Baier must determine who his true friends are among the local officials and the foreign agents spread throughout the country’s capital. Only when he reaches the border with Austria is Baier certain whom he can trust. Even then, new surprises await.
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1h 9min
May 05, 2026 Today at Elaine’s: Jennifer van der Kleut tells us about her journey to write “The Better Mother,” a plot-driven suspense debut about a woman who ends up pregnant after a casual fling — but the father’s girlfriend has sinister intentions
Meet the Author: Jennifer began her writing journey at the age of 10 when she started her own neighborhood newspaper, “The Santa Clara Times,” printed it herself, and walked up and down her street, passing it out to all the neighbors. She graduated from the School of Journalism, Mass Communications, and Public Relations at San Jose State University in Northern California, and went on to have a ten-year career as a journalist.
Her works have appeared in countless print and digital publications including the the Huffington Post, the San Jose Mercury News, Silicon Valley Community Newspapers, AOL, Patch, Silicon Valley Accent Magazine, and Alexandria Living Magazine, among others, and has had several articles picked up or quoted by the Washington Post.
She is a 2005 recipient of the Peninsula Press Club Award for Feature Story of a Serious Nature, and a 2013 recipient of AOL’s “Must Read” Award for Enterprise Reporting. She also worked as a Web Editor & Producer for WJLA, the Washington, D.C. affiliate of ABC7 News, before leaving the news industry in 2014.
Since then, she has worked in small business management and marketing at the Washington, D.C. area’s busiest winery, The Winery at Bull Run.
Jennifer started work drafting her debut novel, THE BETTER MOTHER, in March of 2023 after attending the Algonkian Writers Retreat with Michael Neff. She began querying literary agents in April 2024, and was offered representation by fellow thriller writer Jenna Satterthwaite of the Storm Literary Agency at the end of July. THE BETTER MOTHER went on submission to publishing houses in late September, and excitingly, received its first offer exactly two months later, leading to an auction.
THE BETTER MOTHER is due out in February 2026 with Crooked Lane Books (distributed by Penguin Random House).
Jennifer grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and currently lives in Northern Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C., with her husband and two sons. Learn more: jennifervanderkleut.com
About the Book: Still recovering from a devastating breakup, 34-year-old Savannah Mitchell has finally managed to put her life back together when she gets the shock of her life—after a brief fling with a man named Max, she is pregnant.
When she gets in touch to tell him, he reveals that he’s just gotten back together with his ex, Madison, and he will need time to break it to her. Surprisingly, Madison isn’t upset—in fact, she’s excited, and wants to help.
Max insists Madison has the best of intentions, but Savannah finds her efforts—popping by uninvited, demanding lifestyle changes, and pretty much trying to take over the pregnancy—anything but helpful. When Savannah finally stands up for herself, Madison’s treatment of her goes from casually cruel to downright dangerous.
All Savannah wanted to do was form a friendly co-parenting relationship with the father of her child—but his new girlfriend obviously has much more sinister plans in mind.
She has no plans to co-parent at all.
Click here to buy The Better Mother.
About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host, Jeffrey James Higgins: A retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays, Jeff has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. Jeffrey has been interviewed by CNN, National Geographic, and The New York Times. Learn more:
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1h
April 28, 2026 Wanda Rawlings brings her award-winning series, “A Christian Journey,” to Elaine’s Literary Salon on April 18! Get your free tickets today
Meet the Author: Wanda Rawlings is a Christian fiction author, Bible study teacher, and speaker with over three decades of experience as a civilian Federal employee and a lifelong passion for encouraging spiritual growth through storytelling and the Word of God. She is the creator and facilitator of the Root of the Matter Virtual Women’s Bible Study, a thriving ministry she has led for more than five years, guiding women deeper into their relationship with Christ.
Wanda is the author of the A Christian Journey series, including Chloe’s Missing Piece, Chloe’s Season of Storms, and Chloe’s Journey to Joy. Through relatable characters and faith-filled narratives, the series explores themes of identity, perseverance, healing, and learning to hear God’s voice in every season of life. In addition to her novels, Wanda has written devotionals for women in family shelters and is available to teach, speak, and minister at conferences and faith-based events.
A storyteller at heart, Wanda’s passion for exploring the complexities of human emotions and relationships from a spiritual standpoint through her writing is explosive. A lifelong lover of literature, Wanda has discovered her love for crafting stories and finding inspiration in the everyday moments that shape our lives. Her debut novel, Chloe’s Missing Piece, is a deeply emotional and poignant journey of self-discovery, love, and healing that resonates with readers from all walks of life.
Wanda’s writing is characterized by her ability to delve into the inner lives of her characters, creating relatable, multidimensional protagonists who face life’s challenges head-on. In Chloe’s Missing Piece, she brings to life a rich and heartfelt narrative that explores the delicate balance between loss and fulfillment, and the search for meaning in a complicated world.
Beyond her work as an author, Wanda enjoys connecting with her readers through her social media platforms, where she shares her thoughts on life through Kingdom living. When she’s not writing, Wanda can be found spending time with her family, enjoying nature, and exploring new literary worlds. She currently lives in Whitsett, NC with her husband, where she continues to write stories that inspire and connect with readers on a deep, emotional and spiritual level. Learn more: wandarawlingsauthor.com
Chloe’s Missing Piece
About the Book — A Christian Journey: Chloe’s Missing Piece She has the life everyone wants—except the peace she desperately needs. Chloe is young, polished, and professionally successful. With a thriving career and a picture-perfect image, she’s the kind of woman others admire. But behind the confidence and career is a silent ache—something sacred that still feels incomplete. When tragedy strikes just as Chloe begins to discover what her soul has been searching for, her carefully balanced world starts to collapse. Friends try to help. Family offers advice. But the truth is clear: there’s only One who holds the missing piece she needs to be whole. If you’ve ever wrestled with purpose, identity, or faith in the middle of your success—this book is for you.
About A Christian Journey: Chloe’s Missing Piece is the first novel in a soul-stirring series about faith, redemption, and the quiet battles many women fight behind the scenes. Wanda Rawlings masterfully weaves a story that is both inspiring and relatable—reminding readers that true healing doesn’t come from having it all… but from surrendering it all.
Click here to buy
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50min
April 21, 2026 Ep53: “Original Sound,” award-winning actor and director Greg Jbara’s new film, will be in theaters April 24. Learn all about the movie, and Greg’s superstar career, on today’s interview with our host, award-winning novelist Jeffrey James Higgins
About Original Sound: A story about the rhythm of ambition, collaboration, and the price of authenticity.
Driven by the pulse and rhythm of Brooklyn and Queens, beat maker Danny Solis may have found his big break when his track is pilfered by pop star Ryan Reed. To keep Danny quiet, Ryan’s manager brokers a deal in which Ryan and Danny will collaborate on a few songs. Their work together introduces Danny to Manhattan’s music scene and leads Ryan to pivot her career. Despite disappointment and betrayal, Danny perseveres, finding solace and strength within his original sound.
Get your tickets and check out the cool merch: originalsoundfilm.com
Meet Award-winning Actor and Director Greg Jbara: Born and raised in suburban Detroit, Gregory Jbara transferred from the University of Michigan School of Music musical theatre program to complete his BFA in acting at the Juilliard School.
Original Sound, directed by Greg Jbara
Jbara won the 2009 Tony®, Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards for Best Featured Actor in a Musical originating the role of “Jackie Elliot” in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot. He also starred on Broadway as “Billy Flynn” in the Tony Award winning revival of Chicago. He originated the role of “Andre Thibault” in the Broadway musical comedy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, also starring John Lithgow, Norbert Leo Butz, Sherie Rene Scott, Joanna Gleason, and Sara Gettelfinger.
Other Broadway musical roles originated by Jbara are: “Squash Bernstein” in Victor/Victoria, starring Julie Andrews, and that of dimwitted catcher “Sohovik” in the Damn Yankees revival starring Bebe Neuwirth, Victor Garber, and Jerry Lewis.
Jbara received the BackStageWest Garland 2000 Award for his performance in the West Coast Premiere of George Furth‘s Precious Sons with Nora Dunn.
Stage credits include: “Mr. Bunder” in the West Coast premiere of Michael John LaChiusa‘s Little Fish at the Blank Theatre, “Vinnie” in the Geffen Playhouse Premiere of Neil Simon‘s Felix & Oscar; “Ike/Bess Truman” in the West Coast Premiere of LaChiusa’s First Lady Suite; “Clark Gable” in The Blank Theatre Company’s Living Room Series presentat
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1h 6min
April 14, 2026 Ep52: Chandrani Ghosh is bringing her new novel, Heartlines, to Elaine’s Literary Salon. “Think ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ for Indian families,” says the former journalist turned author
Meet the Author: Chandrani Ghosh is a former journalist (Time, Forbes, and Business Standard) who, many years ago, traded her press pass for a carpool one. Now that the carpoolers are drivers, she returns to the page. Drawing on her experiences of growing up in the chaotic worlds of Kolkata and Delhi, spending her twenties in London, Geneva, and Kathmandu, and eventually settling in Washington, Ghosh makes her literary debut with Heartlines. Learn more: cghosh.com
About Heartlines: Sharmila Basu has curated the perfect life. He is the one variable she never planned for. As an Indian American political journalist, Sharmila appears to be living the ultimate American Dream: a high-powered career, vintage wardrobe, and a swanky home in the power corridors of Washington, DC. She lives with her boyfriend, America’s reigning heartthrob and favourite TV news anchor, Lionel Stern. Even Lionel’s notoriously icy mother has welcomed her into the fold.
“Heartlines,” by Chandrani Ghosh
But for the daughter of an Indian Foreign Service attaché, who spent her childhood traversing the globe before finally settling in the US, the word “predictable” is a dangerous one and stability an illusion. At a high-profile awards gala, Sharmila’s orderly world is upended by a chance encounter with a group of vibrant Indian Americans – specifically, Jake Thacker. A math savant turned tech mogul, Jake possesses a gravitational pull that Sharmila can’t ignore. Sparks fly. Lines blur. And suddenly, everything she has felt certain about feels negotiable.
As kismet begins to unravel her carefully constructed reality, a darker threat looms. Beneath Sharmila’s poised exterior lies a secret from her past, one that no longer intends to stay buried. When her past threatens to become national headlines, Sharmila must decide if she is willing to let her world implode to finally find her own truth. From the gala circuits of DC and the quiet porches of Iowa City to the sun-drenched streets of San Sebastian in Spain, this is a love triangle unlike any other.
Click here to buy Heartlines.
Click here to read the Feb. 15 feature in The American Bazaar spotlighting Chandrani, her new book, and her journey to becoming an author.
About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host, Jeffrey James Higgins: A retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays, Jeff has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. Jeffrey has been interviewed by CNN, National Geographic, and The New York Times. Learn more: jeffreyjameshiggings.com
Find more of Elaine’s Literary Salon events here. And check back for new episodes of Elaine’s Literary Salon on Inkandescent.tv and listen to all the podcasts on InkandescentRadio.com.
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59min
April 07, 2026 Ep 51: Winemaker Daniel Grace brings his literary thriller to Elaine’s — Don’t miss this uncomfortable conversation about history, religion, addiction, crime & punishment
Meet the Author: Daniel Grace is a London-born, California-bred, former owner of an international advertising agency who produces critically acclaimed Tuscan wines at his family winery, Il Molino di Grace, in Panzano-in-Chianti, Italy. He is a storyteller by trade and a mythologist at heart. Daniel splits his time between San Francisco and Tuscany with his wife, three daughters and English Setter. In the Wake of Golgotha is his debut novel. For more, visit danielmarkgrace.com
In the Wake of Golgotha
About In the Wake of Golgotha: There is no crime to fit this sentence; there is no sentence to fit this crime. Roman Prefect Pontius Pilate’s words are echoed by the zealot Judas Iscariot only hours before history takes a bloody turn on a cross atop Golgotha on Calvary Hill. Two thousand years later, these words are found scrawled in blood in New York next to three crucified men hanging on a basement wall.
Judas, now Jude Issachar, an enigmatic social worker and part-time professor, and Pontius, now Peter Pheiffer, an unsettled defense attorney at a ravenous global law firm, have lived many lifetimes since their original encounter. However, Jude is aware of his past and is cursed by the fateful lure of the noose and the tree. Peter is damned by a recurring ignorance, a cruel cyclical awakening that creeps up on him as he is compelled to defend a sociopath who crucified three men.
Condemned for their role in humankind’s darkest betrayal, they must reckon with their pasts-and their futures-after a fateful, bloody collision of violence and addiction two millennia after their sentence began brings these lost souls together once more. Click here to buy the book!
Il Molino di Grace
Join us for the wine tasting! From his Il Molino di Grace collection, Daniel is bringing the Chianti Classico, which will be for sale, along with his bestselling Super Tuscan ‘Gratius.’
About Daniel’s winery: Il Molino di Grace — A treasured Tradition, a lasting legacy:
A treasured Tradition, a lasting legacy: Il Molino di Grace is steeped in the historic Chianti Classico tradition, producing old-world Classico and Super-Tuscan wines for the modern age. Il Molino di Grace captures the most authentic expression of this rocky terroir and succulent Sangiovese fruit rooted in these majestic Chianti hills.
The vineyards that now produce Il Molino di Grace’s wine have been doing so for over three and half centuries. Harvested first by monks from the local monastery, these Chianti Classico vineyards have mesmerized winemakers and wine enthusiasts every harvest since. Learn more: ilmolinodigrace.it
About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host, Jeffrey James Higgins: A retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays, Jeff has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. Jeffrey has been interviewed by CNN, National Geographic, and The New York Times. Learn more: jeffreyjameshiggings.com
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1h 10min

FAQs about Elaine's Literary Salon:

How many episodes does Elaine's Literary Salon have?

The podcast currently has 76 episodes available.