Living The Next Chapter: Candid Conversations with Authors and Writers for Readers Searching for a New Read

EPISODE 638 - Janet Skeslien Charles - Author of The Paris Library and Miss Morgan's Book Brigade comes a charming and cinematic multi-cast audiobook, The Parisian Chapter

Janet Skeslien Charles is the New York Times, USA Today, and #1 international bestselling author of The Paris Library, Moonlight in Odessa, Miss Morgan's Book Brigade (called The Librarians of Rue de Picardie in the UK and Commonwealth), and the audiobook The Parisian Chapter. Her essays and short stories have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, The Sydney Morning Herald, and the anthology Montana Noir.

Her work has been translated into 40 languages. Janet was born and raised in Montana. After graduating from the University of Montana, she got a job teaching English in Ukraine. She later went to France intending to teach for a year, and has been there ever since. Place is at the heart of every story she has ever written. She loves traveling, spending time with friends and family, and researching stories of forgotten people and places.

The Parisian Chapter
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Library and Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade comes a charming and cinematic multi-cast audiobook following a young woman from Montana who lands a job in the American Library in Paris, where she discovers the power of storytelling and writes her own Parisian chapter.

https://www.jskesliencharles.com/

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EPISODE 637 - Jann Alexander - Unspoken - Historic Texas during the Dirty Thirties and beyond

About Jann Alexander
I'm an author, photographer, and artist.

My characters face down their fears, in novels that are as close-to-true as fiction can get.

I specialize in time travel. Read Unspoken, my best-selling novel and the first in my Dust series that stars historic Texas during the Dirty Thirties and beyond. Explore my photography featuring Vanishing Austin, Mother Earth, and Texana. Journey into the American southwest and Mexico, along the Mission Trail, as I capture the colors in my paintings and photos. ​

"Jann Alexander's blazingly alive novel Unspoken asks how do we keep a family intact? Especially during a time of upheaval and betrayal in the 1930s Dust Bowl? Here, in a story told by both a mother and her daughter, two people struggle to both understand their world and each other."

— CAROLINE LEAVITT, New York Times bestselling author of
Pictures of You and Days of Wonder

Upheaval, betrayal, estrangement, families lost and found, poverty, and homelessness, are the themes we wake up to in today's headlines. In the 1930s, the Texas Dust Bowl was no different — with one exception. Nobody knew how to fix air you couldn't breathe.

https://www.jannalexander.com/

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EPISODE 636 - Gil Merrick - Haunted Victory, Come September, Olympics and Horses

Born in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Gil Merrick attended Hiram College, earning a BA in International Finance and German. Upon completing his MBA at Cleveland State University, he began a forty-year career managing companies throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. An avid horseman with credits as Team Leader for the U.S. Equestrian Federation at the 2007 Pan American Games and the 2008 Olympic Games, he now devotes himself full-time to writing in South Florida.​

Book: Haunted Victory: Healing From Childhood Sexual Abuse and the Decades of Addiction That Followed - A small and effeminate boy—bullied for years while growing up in an alcoholic family in suburban Cleveland—Gil finds refuge in the equestrian world. A coach instills in him the dream of going to the Olympics and becomes his mentor, his guide—and his predator.

Gil survives rape, betrayals, setbacks, and the loss of family and friends—all while on a quest to fulfill his dream. This book is not only about surviving; it's about the resilience of the human spirit and the pursuit of dreams against all odds. Gil makes it to the Olympics, but not in the way he imagined. He discovers what happens when a dream ends, and all you have left are your addictions.

What does it take to finally realize that our lives can’t go on as they are? How do we put an end to our self-destructive ways? Is it even possible to grasp the complexities of untreated and unrealized trauma? How do we come to terms with the cost of the abuse we suffered?

Gil tells his story with a breadth of detail and thought-provoking insights rarely shared by male victims of sexual abuse. Readers will find a story of hope, determination, and the transformative power of confronting one's past.

Book: A small and effeminate boy—bullied for years while growing up in an alcoholic family in suburban Cleveland—Gil finds refuge in the equestrian world. A coach instills in him the dream of going to the Olympics and becomes his mentor, his guide—and his predator.

What does it take to finally realize that our lives can’t go on as they are? How do we put an end to our self-destructive ways? Is it even possible to grasp the complexities of untreated and unrealized trauma? How do we come to terms with the cost of the abuse we suffered?

Gil tells his story with a breadth of detail and thought-provoking insights rarely shared by male victims of sexual abuse. Readers will find a story of hope, determination, and the transformative power of confronting one's past.

Book: Come September - Ryan Jackson is a shy, scrappy teenager from a poor Appalachian town. Kip Reynolds is a talented high school polo player from a wealthy family living in the suburbs of Detroit. Sharp and stunning, Claudia Kinzler wins the admiration of both young men before her world is shattered by her father’s death in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks.

With unforgettable characters and emotionally charged storytelling, this novel explores what binds us and what breaks us, the power of strength and perseverance, and how truth and forgiveness can be the key to reconciling the pain of our past and building a new life.

https://www.gilmerrick.com/

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EPISODE 635 - Deb Coviello - The CEO’s Compass - Your Guide to Get Back on Track

This episode features Deb Coviello, author of The CEO’s Compass: Your Guide to Get Back on Track, who shares her inspiring journey of rediscovering her creative voice and becoming a published author and sought-after speaker. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Deb reflects on overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome, encouraging aspiring authors and leaders to recognize their unique gifts and take courage to share their stories.

Deb recounts how she reconnected with her creative roots through writing, moving from technical writing and corporate roles to launching her author career and consulting business. Her book offers a practical framework—a compass with seven points—to help leaders and individuals align with their purpose, improve their performance, and ultimately find peace of mind. She emphasizes that no one is a finished project; growth and self-improvement are continual.

A key message from Deb is to reject the narrative of being broken or inadequate, and instead embrace support systems and self-belief. She encourages listeners to start by acknowledging their strengths and to approach challenges with discipline and reflection. Deb also highlights how impactful even reaching one person through your work can be—creating ripple effects that extend far beyond a single interaction.

Throughout the conversation, Deb shares insights into leadership struggles, the importance of staying purpose-driven amidst daily pressures, and the value of stepping back to evaluate what truly adds value in work and life. She speaks candidly about balancing professional ambitions with personal fulfillment and the joy of helping others through her voice and message.

Listeners will find inspiration not just in Deb’s story, but practical tools and encouragement to begin their own creative journeys, overcome fears, and live more purposefully in their next chapters.

Key Takeaway:
Your unique voice and perspective matter. By embracing growth, seeking support, and aligning with your purpose, you can overcome doubt and make meaningful impact—whether as an author, leader, or in any role where your message can inspire change.

In this book you will find:
- The real reason you’re feeling off track…  and no, it has nothing to do with your expertise!
- A seven-point assessment you can use to find the problem in days…not months!
- Why your peace of mind is critical for the success of you and your organization


https://dropinceo.com/

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EPISODE 634 - Kelly Farley - He Lost His Baby Too, Survival Guide for the Grieving Dad and Grieving Dads

If you have ever loved a child, then you understand what it’s like to love someone more than you love life itself. If you have ever lost a child, then you understand more about hell than anyone could possibly be expected to know. This isn’t something you get over. Only those who have lost a child can understand the depths to which this pain travels. Like most of the men who will read these books, I too am a grieving dad.

The message I want bereaved fathers to understand is that I know it’s hard, I know it hurts, I know it’s scary — but you can get through this. You can survive. It will be the hardest thing you will ever experience; it will drain you physically, mentally, and emotionally. You can come out on the other side of this very long and lonely tunnel, but you will be a different person when you do. There is no going back to the old you.

You also need to know that you are not alone in your grief. Other men have been through this and that the emotions they keep inside are the same emotions all of us experience, even if we don't talk about them. The best thing you can do is to reach out for help and to know it is not a sign of “weakness” to do so. Instead, it’s a sign of courage and strength — the kind that’s required to face this battle head on.

Book: He Lost His Baby Too
Survival Guide for the Grieving Dad

This book was written specifically for fathers grappling with the unbearable aftermath of losing a baby. It is all too easy for a bereaved father to succumb to a haunting sense of isolation after such a loss. However, within these pages lies a lifeline—a survival guide infused with wisdom, providing a roadmap through the complicated path of grief.

In the wake of a tragic loss—whether it be a miscarriage, a stillbirth, or the untimely passing of an infant—this invaluable resource unravels the layers of anguish that overwhelm grieving fathers. Written by a grieving dad, this book offers unflinching honesty and poignant insight, it also delves into the raw pain that accompanies such a profound loss, assuring these men that their emotions, however overwhelming, are both valid and shared by others who have walked a similar path.

Book: Grieving Dads
To the Brink and Back

A collection of candid stories from grieving dads that were interviewed over a two-year period. The book offers insight from fellow members of, in the haunting words of one dad, “this terrible, terrible club,” which consists of men who have experienced the death of a child. This book is a collection of survival stories by men who have survived the worst possible loss and lived to tell the tale.

They are real stories that pull no punches and are told with brutal honesty. Men that have shared their deepest and darkest moments. Moments that included thoughts of suicide, self-medication, and homelessness. Some of these men have found their way back from the brink, while others are still standing there, stuck in their pain. The core message of Grieving Dads is “you’re not alone.” It is a message that desperately needs to be delivered to grieving dads who often grieve in silence due to society’s expectations.

https://www.grievingdads.com/

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EPISODE 633 - Chris Kruger - Walking Away from the Ledge - A Soldier's Memoir, the raw truth of war, survival, and self-destruction

Walking Away from the Ledge: A Soldier's Memoir

Walking Away from the Ledge is a hard-hitting, no-BS military memoir that goes beyond the battlefield to expose the raw truth of war, survival, and self-destruction. With an unapologetic voice and brutal honesty, Chris takes readers deep inside the challenging world of an Army Ranger, the brotherhood that holds soldiers together, and the personal demons that threaten to tear them apart.

More than a war story, this book is about what happens when the fight doesn’t end—the toll of combat, the grip of addiction, and the struggle to hold onto love when everything else is falling apart. This memoir hits hard, digs deep, and refuses to look away.

https://paradedeck.com/news/author/christopher-kruger
https://a.co/d/b4CukhO

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E632 - Shelley Grandy - Devious Web - A bingeworthy mystery thriller through business and politics

Shelley Grandy, Canadian author of the tech‑thriller Devious Web, joins the show to talk about her path from journalism and corporate communications into fiction, and how her real‑world experience in high‑tech and politics shaped the novel. Born in Timmins and now living in Trenton, Ontario, Shelley spent years as a reporter and then as a writer in the telecom and fibre‑optics world, eventually running her own PR firm. That background in data, networks, and media handling feeds directly into Devious Web, which follows Tom Oliver, a Toronto tech CEO whose data‑analytics company becomes the center of a dangerous conspiracy just as he’s about to sell to a Silicon Valley buyer. The story weaves together business intrigue, family tensions, politics, and a homicide investigation led by Tom’s detective friend, with Shelley using interviews and media moments in the book to naturally explain complex technology and U.S. issues like gerrymandering for general readers.

Shelley also opens up about the reality of being a debut novelist later in life: finishing the manuscript isn’t the finish line, it’s the starting gun. She describes the emotional and practical challenges of claiming the title “author,” battling imposter syndrome, and then having to learn social media, build a website, start a newsletter, and get comfortable showing up in public to market the book. For someone used to writing behind the scenes, events like speaking at the National Women’s Show in Toronto, experimenting with Instagram, and nurturing an email list are all part of what she calls “The Journey”—the ongoing process she chronicles on her blog. Her training as a journalist still shapes her fiction: she writes in tight, scene‑based chapters that she can easily imagine on screen, focuses on strong openings, and then has to consciously slow down to add colour, atmosphere, and richer description.

A big part of the conversation dives into how Devious Web blends entertainment with timely themes. Shelley talks about drawing on her long‑standing interest in U.S. politics—especially the Trump era and debates over democracy—to bring gerrymandering, data analytics, and the misuse of personal information into the plot without turning the book into a lecture. She explains gerrymandering in plain language, connects it to modern data‑driven targeting, and hints at how the wrong hands using the right software could tip the balance of power, all while keeping the focus on mystery, character, and suspense. The book also reflects her personal passions: there’s a romantic subplot, horses and equestrian life, Canadian settings she knows intimately (from Toronto restaurants and banks to Honey Harbour and Caledon stables), and vivid secondary characters like Patrick, the charming Irish “bad boy” whose Las Vegas misadventures were especially fun for her to write. Shelley even shares how she fact‑checked locations after the pandemic by revisiting them in person, turning research into a kind of mini‑adventure.

https://www.shelleygrandy.com/

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EPISODE 631 - Tia Lashay - Question of Affection, A heartfelt journey of vulnerability, courage and love 

Book: Question of Affection - Ian is a self-reliant pharmacist in her late 30s, navigating the labyrinth of love and loss. With a past marred by heartbreak, Ian has been searching for the missing piece to complete her life. Her journey turns unexpectedly when she meets Wyatt at a speed-dating event, sparking a glimmer of hope that true love might be within reach. However, life throws her a curveball when she finds herself drawn to her enigmatic female neighbor, challenging her perceptions and stirring up emotions she's never faced before.

As Ian delicately balances these newfound relationships, she embarks on a path of self-discovery, exploring the multifaceted nature of her heart. Delve into Ian's world, where love knows no bounds, and learn how embracing one's true self can lead to the most profound connections. Will Ian find the courage to embrace her desires and redefine her understanding of love? Join her on this heartfelt journey of vulnerability, courage, and the beautiful complexities of sexuality and growth.

https://www.winsbookspublishing.com/store/p/question-of-affection?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAae38prEvOv1c6-Xn9t39qOMh2g0CSzt7ICOnBjVlVXduA_jgQod0fXd2biHhQ_aem_N3xCZCVH6H2oToQ45MnFqQ

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Episode 630 - Sheral DeVaughn -  The “Word Whisperer.” She is a 3-time #1-rated radio morning show host, podcast host, keynote speaker and professional emce

Sheral DeVaughn is a 3-time, #1-rated radio morning show host and podcast host. She is a sought after speaker impacting global audiences and is the voice on commercials and marketing promotions nationwide. She is the founder of Speaking with Sher, a Communication Strategy Consultation service connecting your voice and your message to your ideal audience.

The Frog Book
Sheral DeVaughn takes you on an adventure where there are no fairy godmothers nor white knights in shining armor, but there still are steps you can take to get to your “happily ever after.”

Using anecdotes of her own personal struggles, and professional obstacles in both the radio and wine and spirit industries, she masterfully tells stories and gives you steps on how to overcome your own hurdles and find your voice once again.

Part autobiography, part motivational book, part self-help primer, you’ll find a piece of your own story within the pages, and discover where you might be holding yourself back, how to come to terms with life’s scars and baggage, and how to get yourself to the finish line of a life that is fulfilling and joyful.

If you’ve ever felt like you have an “invisible voice” and struggle to be heard, then The Frog in Your Throat is the unconventional primer you need to leap over life’s hurdles and open the door to a more satisfying life experience.

https://thefroginyourthroat.com/

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EPISODE 629 - Allison Cundiff - Hey, Pickpocket - Is it possible to leave behind one life and find a new one

Allison Cundiff’s publications include the novel Hey Pickpocket (2025, JackLeg Press), two books of poetry: Otherings (2016, Golden Antelope Press), and In Short, A Memory of the Other on a Good Day, co-authored with Steven Schreiner, (2014, Golden Antelope Press), and two chapbooks: Snapshot (2023, Bottlecap Press), and Just to See How It Feels (2018, Word Press). Her second novel, The Mysterious Women of J Road is forthcoming in March of 2026 (April Gloaming).

She is a graduate of the University of Missouri (MA English Literature, MEd Secondary Education) and Truman State University (BA English Literature). She teaches at Lindenwood University and at Parkway North High School.

Book: Hey Pickpocket

“Is it possible to leave behind one life and find a new one? This is the provocative question ‘Hey, Pickpocket’ poses, and the result is a deeply felt exploration of grief, redemption, and the human heart. Spanning cultures and continents, foggy mornings on the Arans and hazy memories of the States, Allison Cundiff's debut novel probes the eternal riddle of home, the enduring allure of hope.”

-Jeffrey Zuckerman

https://www.allisoncundiff.net/

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