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Exploring Life and Ancient Mysteries with Author N.L. Holmes | Episode 134

In this episode of the Bookaholic Podcast, Deirdre Pippins interviews N.L. Holmes, a former nun and current archeologist turned author. They discuss Holmes' unconventional career path, spanning from a 19-year tenure in a convent, to a career in archaeology and academia, and finally to becoming a prolific writer. Holmes talks about her two main series – the 'Lord Hani Mysteries' and 'Hani's Daughter Mysteries', both set in ancient Egypt. She shares insights into her writing process, her characters, and the historical research that informs her work. The conversation delves into the rich roles of women in ancient Egypt and Holmes' unique approach to historical fiction, aiming to show that the people of the past were just like us.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:47 From Nun to Archeologist

03:55 The Joy of Archeology

06:51 The Lord Hanney Mysteries

08:50 Empire at Twilight Series

11:02 Hani's Daughter Mysteries

13:46 Women in Ancient Egypt

17:16 Future Projects and Recommendations

19:58 Conclusion and Farewell

 

Exploring The Mighty Chronicles with Elias Garcia: An Interview on Bookaholic Podcast | Episode 133

In this episode of the Bookaholic podcast, host welcomes Elias Garcia, who discusses his debut novel, 'The Mighty Chronicles: VA of Hills,' a coming-of-age superhero origin story featuring three superpowered brothers on a quest to save their parents. Elias shares his inspiration, which stems from comic books, superheroes, and his family, as well as the process behind world-building and character development. He also reveals plans for future books in the series and other writing projects. The discussion delves into the themes of representation and the challenges of crafting a multi-book series.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:07 Diversity in Comics and Novels

01:11 Inspiration Behind the Novel

01:57 Overview of 'The Mighty Chronicles'

02:34 Character Powers and Inspirations

04:41 World-Building and Series Planning

09:03 Future Projects and Writing Process

10:38 Conclusion and Farewell

 

Rising Young Author Elora Sophia on her Fantasy Book Series and Creative Journey | Episode 132

In this episode of the Bookaholic podcast, host Deirdre Pippins welcomes 14-year-old author Elora Sophia. Elora shares her journey from creating bedtime stories with her father to writing her fantasy book series, Guardians. Discussing her inspiration, world-building, and the creative process, Elora reveals details about her debut book 'Guardians Rise to the Phantom,' set to be published later this year. She also talks about her future plans, the support from her parents and friends, and her mission to inspire young peers to pursue their passions.

00:00 Welcome to the Bookaholic Podcast

00:36 Inspiration from Childhood Stories

01:12 Creating the Guardians Series

02:27 Publishing Journey and Future Plans

04:01 Challenges and Support in Writing

06:13 World-Building in Guardians

10:33 Illustrations and Homeschooling

12:39 Encouragement and Final Thoughts

 

Breaking the Silence: The Truth About Female Friendships | Episode 131

Welcome to the Bookaholic Podcast! In this episode, Deirdre sits down with Susan Shapiro Barish to discuss her latest nonfiction book, 'Estranged: How Strained Female Friendships Are Mended or Ended.' Purchase the book here: https://amzn.to/45dSJVK They delve into the rarely addressed topic of female friendships that fall apart, the societal expectations placed on women to maintain these bonds, and the emotional complexities involved. With insights from over 150 women aged 20 to 80, the silence is broken. The conversation touches on various types of toxic friendships, the impact of life changes, and the difficult yet empowering process of ending friendships. This episode provides a deep dive into the emotional landscape of female friendships and offers valuable perspectives on navigating these relationships. Don't miss it! 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:07 Exploring Female Friendships 03:10 The Concept of Toxic Friendships 03:48 Examples of Toxic Relationships 05:43 Impact of Life Changes on Friendships 08:34 Political and Social Divides 09:43 Jealousy and Betrayal 10:40 The Wayward Friend 12:33 Sororities and Lifelong Bonds 16:28 Personal Stories of Friendship Breakups 23:39 Grieving and Moving On 26:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts This podcast is an author interview about her book. This book is a female friendship book. Subscribe to my channel if you love to read books.

From Shared Fantasy To Personal Revolution | Episode 130

In this episode of the Bookaholic Podcast, host Deirdre welcomes back author Richie Billing. They discuss his journey into writing, starting with his debut book and moving through his experiences in a shared universe with a publisher. Richie shares insights on his creative process, the importance of short stories, novellas, and his exploration of good and evil in fantasy worlds. He also touches on real-world themes like social injustices and inequalities, and how he hopes his stories can provide solace and escape for readers. Tune in for an engaging conversation about the struggles and triumphs of a writer’s life. 00:00 Welcome Back, Richie Billing! 0:55 Richie's Writing Journey Begins 03:47 Creating in a Shared Universe 05:56 Building a Unique Fantasy World 08:47 Exploring Short Stories and Novellas 10:29 Themes of Good, Evil, and Social Justice 13:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 💪💰SUPPORT MY CHANNEL💰💪 I can't continue without your help! Support our freedom to read whatever we want. https://paypal.me/TrueBookaholic?coun... 🔗CONNECT WITH BOOKAHOLIC🔗 // INSTAGRAM: @truebookaholic // FACEBOOK: @truebookaholic // PINTEREST: @truebookaholic // TIKTOK: @truebookaholic // LINKEDIN: Deirdre Pippins/deirdre-pippins-38338a214 // BLUESKY: @truebookaholic.bsky.social // EMAIL: readingjunkie@book-a-holic.com Bookaholic bookstore. https://bookshop.org/shop/truebookaholic DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you!

Spreading Joy & Strength in Mental Fitness | Author Interview | Episode 129

In this episode of the Bookaholic Podcast, host Deidre invites Doris Hornstein to discuss joy and mental fitness amidst challenging times. Doris shares her journey from Israel to the United States, where she transitioned from a long career in education to becoming an entrepreneur and motivational speaker. Motivated by her sister's battle with breast cancer, Doris began sharing uplifting videos, which led to her first book, 'Moments of the Heart.' She further developed her expertise by becoming a certified coach in Positive Intelligence, combining neuroscience and positive psychology. Doris talks about her latest book, 'Oy to Joy,' which provides a six-step playbook for making intentional choices that align with personal strengths and values. They also explore how to maintain joy in interactions with less positive individuals and the impact of choosing positivity. Doris offers insights and practical advice for living a joyful and mentally fit life. Tune in to find inspiration in her powerful stories and strategies.

 

00:00 Welcome to the Bookaholic Podcast

01:04 Doris Hornstein's Journey to Mental Fitness

02:49 From Education to Entrepreneurship

06:26 Introduction to Positive Intelligence

06:52 The Science Behind Positive Intelligence

08:09 Applying Positive Intelligence in Daily Life

12:14 Choosing Joy in Challenging Times

16:29 Dealing with Negativity and Spreading Positivity

24:16 Becoming Your Own Champion

27:35 Book Launch and Final Thoughts

Crafting Lies & Creating A Thriller | Author Interview | Episode 128

In this episode of the Bookaholic Podcast, host Deirdre Pippins speaks with debut thriller novelist Patsy Robertson about her new book 'A Concoction of Lies.' Patsy shares her journey from working in the technology field to becoming an author during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses the transition process and the challenges of learning the writing and publishing industry. Patsy's novel features mature characters and is set in multicultural settings, including Guatemala and Belize. She reflects on the importance of representing African American family ties beyond the Americas and gives insights into her creative process. Patsy also reveals details about her upcoming second book, which will be set in Trinidad and Tobago.

 

00:00 Welcome to the Bookaholic Podcast

01:11 Meet Patsy Robertson: From Tech to Thriller Novelist

02:17 The Journey of Writing a Debut Novel

03:54 Publishing and Marketing Challenges

08:05 Diving into 'A Concoction of Lies'

10:20 Character Development and Storyline

14:22 Future Projects and Cultural Representation

16:12 Conclusion and Farewell

 

Examining the Impact of Book Bans: Insights from PEN America's 2023-2024 Report | Episode 127

In this episode of the Bookaholic Podcast, Sabrina Baeta discusses the recent report by PEN America on the scope and impact of book bans in public K-12 schools for the 2023-2024 school year. The conversation covers the findings of the report, the specific content and themes most frequently targeted by bans, and the motivations behind these efforts. They also address the detrimental effects of these bans on students, including issues of representation and freedom of expression. The discussion outlines how these bans, often driven by organized groups with ideological agendas, impact the public education system. Lastly, they explore actionable steps individuals and communities can take to combat book bans and advocate for the freedom to read.

00:00 Welcome to the Bookaholic Podcast

00:08 Introduction to Book Bans

00:59 Penn America's Report on Book Bans

03:23 Impact of Book Bans on Different Age Groups

04:58 Themes and Topics in Banned Books

09:00 The Role of Visual Content in Banned Books

13:07 The Influence of Advocacy Groups

17:18 How to Fight Back Against Book Bans

20:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

JD Barker Shares Chilling Tales and Upcoming Contest on the Bookaholic Podcast | Episode 126

In this episode of the Bookaholic Podcast, New York Times bestselling author JD Barker joins the host to discuss his extensive career in writing thrillers and horror novels, including his collaborations with James Patterson. Barker shares insights into his diverse readership and strategic marketing approaches. He delves into the inspiration behind his upcoming book, 'Something I Keep Upstairs,' a chilling tale set in a haunted house on a private island. The story draws on eerie real-life experiences and local legends. Barker also announces an exciting contest where a lucky winner and three friends will get to spend a night in the actual haunted house that inspired the novel. The episode promises spine-tingling tales and a unique opportunity for the brave-hearted.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:32 JD Barker's Writing Journey

01:25 Marketing to a Unique Audience

03:03 New Book: Something I Keep Upstairs

04:44 The Real Haunted House Inspiration

08:20 Personal Paranormal Experiences

11:41 Contest to Stay in the Haunted House

15:15 Book Details and Writing Process

18:52 Conclusion and Farewell

From Bicycles to Bestsellers: Teri Brown's Journey of Overcoming and Adventure | Episode 125

In this captivating episode of the Bookaholic Podcast, Teri Brown returns for her fourth appearance to discuss her latest work, '10 Little Rules for a Double Butted Adventure.' Terry, previously known for her novels set in Ukraine, World War II, and the Green Mountain Gap, shifts gears to nonfiction, sharing the inspirational story of her and her husband Bruce's 3,102-mile tandem bicycle journey across the United States. Originally driven by personal challenges including an emotionally abusive past relationship, Terry reveals the incredible support from Bruce and how the journey helped her rediscover her self-worth and determination. The episode delves into the practical aspects of the journey, including preparation, challenges like harsh weather, and the significance of their adventure during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tragically, Bruce passed away from brain cancer in January 2022. The episode is a testament to resilience, love, and the untapped potential within us all. 00:00 Welcome Back, Teri Brown! 01:00 Introducing Teri's New Nonfiction Adventure 02:19 The Epic Tandem Bicycle Journey 06:07 Training and Preparation for the Ride 08:04 Navigating the Cross-Country Route 09:44 Challenges and Triumphs on the Road 15:30 The Emotional Finish Line 16:45 Reflections and New Beginnings 19:24 Technical Glitch and Weather Challenges 20:57 Navigating Through Native American Reservations 22:49 Survival Strategies on the Road 24:49 A Supportive Partnership 27:04 A Heartbreaking Loss 33:24 Lessons from the Journey 35:51 Promoting the Book and Final Thoughts