For the Love of Books Podcast

Happy Independence Day, let freedom ring. Children's author Lauren Persons is a firm believer in William Shakespeare's “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”  Sponsored by Modern History Press, Moravian Sons Distillery https://moraviansonsdistillery and author Brian Talarczyk.   Lauren’s rich and varied roles as actor, director, playwright, newspaper columnist, teacher, poet, wife, mother and grandmother have contributed to her latest role—children’s author of Lost But Found, The Real Story:  Chappie’s Tale, What Happened to Chester, The Perfect Gift and Deer Diary. Listen in for a chance to win signed copies of Deer Diary and What Happened to Chester? Copyright (c) 2025. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

No matter where you run, the past will find you… Kelly needs to enhance her resume. Why else would she accept a placement in Tullamore facing her phobia about country towns? Years ago, a rookie cop humiliated her during an illegal strip search. Sponsored by authors Jennifer Raines, Caroline Topperman and Moravian  Sons Distillery. Problem is, that former cop is now the deputy principal of her new high school and her boss. Sharing a house, a commute, and now an investigation to unravel a series of disasters that look like sabotage, Kelly takes the previously unthinkable step from enemies to allies to lovers. Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of A Just Man Choosing  Family Book 4. Copyright (c) 2025. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.  

Award-winning author Frank Demith talks about his unique method of writing his second book historical fiction Defending The Eagle. Defending The Eagle is a tense, gripping, and emotionally complex portrayal of war—not just as a battlefield of weapons and tactics, but as a crucible for identity, loyalty, and survival. Sponsored by Moravian Sons Distillery and Doc Chavent   Set against the scorched backdrop of an Iraqi desert warzone, the novel immerses the reader in a world where every decision carries the weight of life and death, and where the line between enemy and ally is constantly shifting. Listen in for the podcast book giveaway by Frank Demith. Emma Blogs, LLC.  (c) 2026 All rights reserved.

"Find Pease, Embrace Change, and Let Your Soul Lead The Way!" Dr. Barbara Sinor Sponsored by Modern History Press, Moravian Sons Distillery, author Terri Martin, and Doc Chavent. Wisdom from Your Soul offers gentle guidance for navigating life's challenges with clarity and grace. Through inspiring reflections on forgiveness, love, resilience, and inner peace, Sinor's new book encourages readers to release the past, embrace the present, and open to the wisdom within. Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Wisdom from Your Soul. Copyright (c) 2026. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

"Writing has always been a persistent calling throughout my life."                                                             -Author Terri Martin- Straw Horse is a witty and suspenseful romantic mystery  set in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where life for Kathryn "Kat" Wilde is anything but tranquil. Though only in her mid-twenties, Kat finds herself juggling the many demands of a struggling horse operation, Wildwood Stables, while navigating a perplexing romance with her "sort-of" boyfriend, DNR officer, Nikko Olsen. Sponsored by Modern History Press, Moravian Sons Distillery and Doc Chavent. Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Straw Horse and Gift Horse. Copyright (c) 2026.  Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.    

Burning season on the exile world of Anduvea means the space station at the edge of the empire is full of rich, drunk tourists and their idiotic antics. When Senior Security Officer Rita Stabinov spots a thief wanted dead or alive by Empaetor Iradio VIII himself, she envisions a hefty reward or maybe a promotion anywhere else. Sponsored by Moravian Sons Distillery, Modern History Press and Doc Chavent A deathbed promise to keep the goods out of the Empaetor’s hands puts Rita in possession of a stolen treasure with a value far greater than she’s ever dreamed. The heavy-handed ruler will do everything in his power to get it back, and his agent is already on the way. Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of I9. Copyright (c) 2026. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Beyond Betrayal is set in Baltimore, Maryland at the turn of the century. Abigail and Bill are married and starting a family. Peter, their first born, dies at three months of age. Sponsored by Moravian Sons Distillery, author Terri Martin and Doc Chavent. Peter's death is an inciting catalyst for Abigail's mental illness. She taps, counts, and counts and taps feverishly. Her husband Bill and her mother-in-law pursue a way to help Abigail regain her stability. The nascent theories of William James and Sigmund Freud are on the horizon. Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Beyond Betrayal. Copyright (c) 2026. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Happy New Year everyone. Created from a passion for literacy by Mike O'Brien, owner of the Book Cellar in Grand Haven, the Third Coast Author & Book Festival is one of the fastest growing book festivals in Michigan. Sponsored by Moravian Sons Distillery, authors Diana Magnuson, Terri Martin and Doc Chavent. The Third Coast Author & Book Festival in Grand Haven, Michigan is a large annual literary event held in the city’s vibrant downtown. It features 200+ well-known local, national, and international authors offering free signings, panels, and meet-and-greets. Readers can explore books across all genres while enjoying Grand Haven’s shops, food, and lakeshore atmosphere. The festival celebrates reading, writing, and community in one of Michigan’s most scenic towns. Copyright (c) 2026. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

I had heard from an early age that we were related to James Otis the Patriot and had the impression he was important in Boston before the American Revolution. I was always curious in the back of my mind about what happened to him; why was he famous then but forgotten in the centuries that followed?  Sponsored by Modern History Press, Moravian Sons Distillery, authors Terri Martin, Diana Magnuson and Doc Chavent. As I began to research James Otis and then the patriots he influenced, such as Samuel Adams and John Hancock, I came to see he was an extremely powerful force in resistance to the British. As a brilliant lawyer, Otis argued against the use of warrants called the Writs of Assistance which allowed British custom officials to barge into homes or businesses willy nilly looking for smuggled good. Young John Adams was in the courtroom that fateful day and later wrote that Otis’ argument of that case was when “the child Independence was born.” So, you could say that John Adams convinced me to write this book. Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Sparks of the Revolution Copyright (c) 2025. Emma Blogs, All rights reserved.

Explore the visible and hidden world of Noriko’s garden from her garden’s point of view, in and around all year long. After the deep snow of winter, her soil is prepared for planting.   Sponsored by Modern History Press, Moravian Sons Distillery, authors Terri Martin, Diana Magnuson and Doc Chavent. Green leaves sprout as plants ripen to fruits and vegetables. Hungry forest animals prowl and pad-pad in to eat them. Insects and birds also aggravate garden, but others are important assistants to her growth. Exuberant and lyrical  Garden’s story explores nature’s wonders that support our lives.    Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Garden Sleeping, Garden Growing. Copyright (c) 2025. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

“Deaf and rejected, Luczak longs for visibility among those who erase him: class bullies, teachers, and even his mother, who goes to the grave unable to accept her gay son. I found myself rereading Ironhood, wanting to savor his writing.” — Beverly Matherne, author of Potions d’amour, thés, incantations / Love Potions, Teas, Incantations Sponsored by Modern History Press, Moravian Sons Distillery, author Terri Martin and Doc Chavent In Ironhood, the acclaimed poet Raymond Luczak recalls the neighbors and shopkeepers he once knew while growing up in Ironwood, Michigan during the 1970s and 1980s. They included a scruffy man who smoked cheap cigars while tending to his fragrant backyard garden, a cat-eyed woman who stood watch over a sea of typewriters, a bald jeweler whose dexterous fingers repaired a watch's minuscule innards, and tired cashiers in red smocks who dreamed at the western edge of town. Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Ironhood. Copyright (c) 2025 Emma Blogs, LLC.

"Are You Okay being the only one? My favorite downstate teller asks, holding photos of the lonely U.P. camper and noting my nervousness." Sponsored by Modern History Press, Moravian Sons Distillery, Doc Chavent At the age of sixty, Suzanne Sunshower moved into an ancient hunt camp trailer that no one had attempted to live in year-around before, which she named Bear Shack, in a remote area of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This poetic collection is her story of adventure and adjustment. Listen for a chance to win a signed copy of Still Wild. Copyright (c) Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Happy Halloween   Yet Another Slice of Fear, book no. 3 in the horror series by Andrew Allen Smith Fear never truly fades, it evolves.   Sponsored by author LeAnn Kelley, Moravian Sons Distillery, Doc Chavent   In Yet Another Slice of Fear, Michigan author Andrew Allen Smith returns with a chilling new collection of psychological and supernatural tales that twist reality, morality, and the fragile human mind. Each story cuts deep into the quiet moments before terror takes hold, where a whisper in the dark becomes a scream, and comfort turns to dread.   From haunted memories to the horrors born of obsession, Smith explores the places we dare not look, and the truths we wish we could forget. With precise prose and unnerving insight, he reminds us that fear is not always found in monsters, but in the reflection staring back at us. Turn the page... if you dare. Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Yet Another Slice of Fear Copyright (c) 2025. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

  The Blade of Destruction takes place two years after the Creator's Temple. It sets Marty Evans on a course of discovery, learning the mysteries of the Goddess Zin, the sword he is cursed with, and his family's dark past.     Champ's Amazing Day is a children's book inspired by Parks' Dog Champ, whom he lost in June. It is a happy tale of Champ going to the store and the park. All Proceeds go to AKC Health Foundation for Canine Cancer Research. Copyright (c) 2025. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.  

Immerse yourself in a world of magic, destiny, and adventure. Discover the rich landscapes, complex characters, and captivating lore of Iryvalya. Perfect for fans of epic fantasy, this series will enchant and thrill you from the first page to the last.   Sponsored by author LeAnn Kelley, Moravian Sons Distillery and Doc Chavent   The Tales of Iryvalya: Horizons - Nyrieve now carries the most dangerous weapon in Iryvalya—the truth—and she is determined to awaken the realms from centuries of lies. As traditions break and ancient loyalties fracture, dragons long thought extinct return to reveal their true allegiance. With friendships reignited, betrayals uncovered, and enemies closing in, Nyrieve must confront the growing weight of prophecy. The fate of Iryvalya balances between unity and ruin, and only the Bringer of Peace can tip the scales.   Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of The Tales of Iryvalya: Bloodlines.   Copyright (c) 2025. Emma Blogs, All rights reserved.

Saugatuck Art in the Park Sept. 13, 2025, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sponsored by author LeAnne Kelley, Moravian Sons Distillery and Doc Chavent. Since 2016, Anna Donahue dedicated her time to sharing her business secrets to success with fellow artists. Over these last few years, Anna helped over 1,000 artists move from hobbyists to career artists who can make a living on their work. Her creation and continued work at Art in the Park Saugatuck continues to inspire new artists and change lives. Forty-two vendors will be at Art in the Park in Saugatuck including authors Emma Palova and Jean Davis. For a full list go to https://emmapalova.com   Copyright (c) 2025. Emma Blogs, LLC.  All rights reserved.

Happy Labor Day weekend,   Switchers is a time-travel, coming-of-age thriller praised for its fast pacing and compelling characters.   Sponsored by author Robert Kamarowski, Moravian Sons Distillery and Doc Chavent.   It’s about a group of suburban teens in 1996 who get pulled into a time travel war against their adult selves, who time-travel by body swapping with their teen counterparts. They’re all trying to get back to the safety of 1996 before the time travel window closes permanently.   Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Switchers. Copyright (c) 2025. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Steel meets saltwater. On the deck of the Coast Guard cutter Owasso, duty is a constant, and the sea is a relentless master. For Rat, a young deckhand, this voyage to Rio isn't just a job—it's a crucible. Sponsored by author Robert Kamarowski, Moravian Sons Distillery https://moraviansonsdistillery.com and Doc Chavent Amidst the grind of shipboard life, a brotherhood is forged. From the seasoned veterans to the green cadets, each man grapples with his own demons, tested by the unforgiving rhythm of the ocean. The Owasso is a world unto itself, where sweat and steel define the day, and the bonds of shared hardship run deep. Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Equatorial Rhythms. Copyright (c) 2025. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

For the two couples on the boat it felt like a vacation. It looked like a vacation. Heck, it even smelled like a vacation- but it was an elaborate trap. Sponsored by author Lauren Persons, Moravian Sons Distillery https://moraviansonsdistillery.com and Doc Chavent. To tip the scales in an ancient war, the plan demanded that at least one of the humans be sacrificed. If successful, this operation would reach through time, alter children, and alienate grandchildren-forever. They were betting everything to change the unrealized destiny of this family- by destroying their hope. Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Charity's Fire. Copyright (c) 2025. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Searching for Jake - Rich Nelson's new book, and his first novel - tells the story of a closeted young athlete coming of age in a small Midwestern town of the 1970s.   Sponsored by Moravian Sons Distillery, Doc Chavent and author Lauren Persons.   Jake is a star hockey player in high school and college, fully immersed in a sport that is the epitome of masculinity. But the relentless voices in his head conflict with his perception of being all male, his emerging feelings of same-sex attraction drawing him into a journey to find and embrace his authentic self.   Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Searching for Jake. Copyright (c) Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.