Indie Reads Aloud: A Storytelling Podcast

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.

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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.
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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!

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The following is an excerpt from the new paranormal novel, Tears Remember by Diana Kathryn Plopa. 

Moira’s spirit is trapped in the century-old Whitefish Point Lighthouse off the northern coast of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.  Mired by a tragic history, she struggles to escape the terrors that bind her to the light, awakening her fears and threatening the lives of a group of reluctant collaborators.

A writer’s retreat at the Light brings together the creative strengths of a group of aspiring novelists.  To save themselves, they must finish Moira’s story, imagining an ending that will allow her to let go of the past.

But first, the writers must endure the memory of her tears.

Chapter 16

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You have been listening to an excerpt from Tears Remember, a new paranormal novel, written and read for you by Diana Kathryn Plopa.  The expected release date is October 31, 2023.  If you are interested in becoming an ARC reader, visit Diana Kathryn’s website at www.DKPWriter.com and sign up to receive an

Thank you for listening.

Learn More at http://www.dkpwriter.com/tears-remember.html

Listener Advisory: Strong Language, Mature Situations

Genre: Mystery Romance

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About The Author: Lisa Jacovsky currently lives in her hometown of North Brunswick, NJ. She works as a Child Development Specialist with Early Intervention. In her job she is able to help children under the age of three with cognitive and developmental delays, sometimes with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has been working in the field of applied behavior analysis for eight years and this is where she had inspiration for writing her very first series, Lets Talk!. Her hopes for this series are to simply inspire families and their children to be open to anyone no matter their differences. There will be six books in the series. Lisa has always loved writing and hopes to use this way of expression to show the beauty that is in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Title: Purrrfect As I Am
Genre: Children’s

Book Synopsis: Its never a dull day when there are three kittens with special needs in the house! Narrated by an adorable kitten with Hydrocephalus, this is the story of three kittens with special needs that do not slow them down at all. Bones loves to cuddle and chase the little red dot with his friend Bender who has three legs. Bender also loves to play and try to catch the spinning mouse. Then there’s Beau who happens to be blind. This doesn’t stop him from jumping to the highest point on the cat tree or chasing after the crinkle ball though. A fun, sweet story of three friends who show the beauty of being different and the love that a human can bring to special needs to cats.

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Listener Advisory: Strong Language, Mature Situations

About The Author: Mark Love lived for many years in the metropolitan Detroit area, where crime and corruption are always prevalent. As a former freelance reporter, Mark honed his writing skills covering features and hard news.  He is the author of the Jamie Richmond romance mysteries, Devious, Vanishing Act and Fleeing Beauty, and the novella Stealing Haven. The short story, Don’t Mess with the Gods, was written with Elle Nina Castle and was included in the Magic

Title: Your Turn To Die

Genre: Mystery

Book Synopsis: It was supposed to be a friendly round of paintball. But blood, not paint, covers Kyle Morrissey's body. Though admired by the public for his charity, the businessman was no choirboy. Could it be that more than one person wants him dead? Sergeant Jefferson Chene and his detective squad catch the case. With two new faces on the team, he finds himself in the unfamiliar role as mentor. He is also cautiously beginning a relationship with Simone Bettencourt, the beautiful woman he met while pursuing a serial murderer. Complicating the case are two retired gangsters, a fortune in jewels, and Detroit's history of organized crime. But the squad must utilize every resource available to catch a killer.

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About The Author: Katharine Chestnut has an extensive and varied career background that spans across many different industries. She knows a thing or two about connecting with people. During the past two decades, Katharine has navigated the realm of self-care, studying multiple wellness disciplines to support her own personal growth and healing journey from narcissistic abuse. She can shift seamlessly from topics around marketing, to kinesiology, then coaching in the same conversation.
Title: Inner Affirmations: Using Mindfulness To Connect To Your Inner Wisdom
Genre: Self-Help/Personal Growth
Book Synopsis: Can’t seem to keep up with your journaling practice, even though you know it has big benefits? Adopting better habits is hard, but it’s been proven time and again that the returns on a consistent journaling practice are pretty powerful.  This book is a guide to developing your own journaling practice — one that you’ll actually stick with. Yes, even through struggles, frenzies, and darker times.  You’ll start to understand the benefits of an Inner Affirmations practice.

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Listener Advisory: Language

About The Author: Australian Jennifer Raines writes contemporary romances set mainly, but not exclusively, in Australia – think Malta, Finland, New Zealand or ?. A dreamer and an optimist, her stories are a delicious cocktail of mutual respect, passion and loyalty because she still believes in happily-ever-afters.
Title: Planting Hope
Genre: Romance
Book Synopsis: Nursing is Holly Cooper’s vocation, and her sanctuary, until she witnesses a murderous attack during emergency surgery. Her childhood fear of never belonging resurfaces. Untethered, she’s following music festivals down Australia’s eastern seaboard, sometimes working as a nurse, sometimes as a volunteer.
Reclusive gardener Christopher (Kit) Silverton needs a nurse for his half-finished research project: the therapeutic power of gardening. In plain English, can digging and weeding, planting, pruning, hacking, or any one of those activities help kids to heal after domestic violence? A survivor himself, he knows what it’s like to live with pain, guilt, and relationships that end in tears.
When Kit’s partner, and on-site nurse, is injured, she suggests her granddaughter, Holly Cooper, as a replacement. Holly has the qualifications, but Kit will need convincing that a pink and green haired free spirit has anything to offer the project.
As the garden develops, passion blooms between Holly and Kit. When security on the site is breached, Kit confronts his worst nightmare. Defending the kids and Holly proves his critics right—violence lives within him. Can Holly overcome her own doubts to prove he’s wrong?What will she choose, and can she live with the consequences?

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EPISODE #100!
About The Author: D.A. Reed (Deborah Reed) writes young adult novels—from page-turning thrillers to stories based on challenges children and adults face every day.
D.A. Reed’s books have received acclaim, notably: Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards in the category of Young Adult Fiction for All The Things We Didn’t See (2021) and Dare Accepted (2020); Best Indie Book Award (BIBA) in the category of Young Adult Drama for All The Things We Didn’t See (2021) and  Nothin’ But Gutters And Pocket Change (2020); and Independent Press Award “Distinguished Favorite 2022” for All The Things We Didn’t See.
She also writes Suspense/Thriller fiction for adults, including Three Thrilling Tales, One Killer Book!, The Caitlin O’Reitly Mystery Series, and Web of Decieit; as well as a collection of humorous essays, Chicken Butthair: Tales of an Over-Caffeinated Human.
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You may also find Deborah’s short horror stories published in Share Your Scare: A Lulu Anthology, and annual literary and visual arts magazine The Garfield Lake Review.
Deborah lives with her husband and family in Western Michigan.
Book Title: Flame Out
Genre: Young Adult
Book Synopsis: Chase Hannon has everything he ever wanted, friends, a girlfriend, a college football scholarship, and a promising future in the NFL.  All that changes when one crippling tackle threatens Chase’s football career forever.  While Chase tries to come to grips with his new reality, uncertain goals, demanding jobs, new friends, and family secrets cause Chase to feel like his life is spinning wildly out of control.  Friendship, love, and drugs collide in an epic standoff that forces Chase to make hard decisions – and that has devastating results.
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About The Author: Randy D. Pearson has been displaying his creativity for as long as he can remember. Starting at an early age drawing comic strips and cartoon books, he quickly realized he enjoyed writing stories more than he did sketching.
When he discovered his other childhood passion, the Atari computer, everything came together. He spent many late nights typing stories, winning several writing contests in the process.
His writing kicked into high gear in 2007 when he became a member of Writing at the Ledges. This Grand Ledge, Michigan based writing group helped him to turn his interesting ideas into well-crafted works of fiction.
Since then, Randy’s writing has been featured in several publications, including the Washington Square Review, Pets Across America, Small Towns: A Map in Words, Seasons of Life, Voices from the Ledges, Promptly Speaking, Fiction 440: Volume 1, and Retrocade Magazine.
Title: Tell Me A Story
Genre: Short Stories
Book Synopsis: One man’s love for his wife shines brightest when he’s telling her stories. Imagination, real life, and creativity whisk her away to distant lands, taking her on one amazing adventure after another. Join them on this journey through tales of humor and intrigue, drama and excitement, one story at a time.

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