Elaine's Literary Salon

Meet the Author: D. A. Spruzen grew up near London, U.K., graduated from the London College of Dance and Drama Education, and earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Queen’s University of Charlotte; she teaches creative writing in Northern Virginia when not seeking her own muse. She resides in Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland. About D.A.’s books: Odin’s Word is the fourth book in D. A. Spruzen’s new urban fantasy series, Sleuthing With Mortals. The books are available in print and ebook formats. Find the other books in the series below. Additional titles include the historical novel The Blitz Business and the poetry collection Long in the Tooth. Learn more: daspruzen.com Scroll down for details! • Click here to buy all of A.D’s books! Odin’s Word (Sleuthing with Mortals Book 4) Something always seems to jolt Mary back into the reality of living with gods. The god Hoenir, known as Hunter in this world, feels compelled to climb Yggdrasil to see what, if anything, remains of Asgard. His discoveries and adventures could have a momentous and positive impact on the world—if enough people are willing to listen and believe. After a turbulent few months, the entire family travels to Austria to visit a wealthy family they met while in Copenhagen over Christmas. Mary loves to travel and is excited to visit a new country. However, their vacation is quickly upended when Hunter and his wife Lin are forced to use their formidable skills to right wrongs that go back generations. The Knight, the Gnome, and the Fox (Sleuthing with Mortals Book 3) After fighting evil throughout the ages, the goddess must face Loki once more… Norse goddess Lin continues to relate her hair-raising memoirs to her ghostwriter Mary, including sojourns in medieval Iceland and present-day Denmark. As always, she leaves her mark wherever she goes. Another unwelcome survivor of Ragnarok turns up, leading the family to lock horns with Loki once more. Who will prevail? The Witch of Tut (Sleuthing with Mortals Book 2) It is their job to protect the mortal realm, but are secrets the only way they can protect each other? Lin Thoren, a beautiful Norse goddess turned private detective, embarks on a new case to locate a missing girl in London. But the fantastical always has a way of finding her. During her investigation, she meets Agna, the goddess Freya’s witch and former protector of King Tutankhamun. Meanwhile, Lin’s personal biographer Mary Lambert is contending with her new role as mother to a demigod. When Lin returns to their suburban home near Washington D.C., Agna in tow, Mary is tasked with keeping a secret that, if broken, could lead to their own personal Ragnarok. The Turkish Connection (Sleuthing with Mortals Book 1) I don’t think anyone can forget their own war—the loss, the pain—however hard they try. Lin Thoren, a minor Norse goddess, is both beautiful and terrifying. While her powers have diminished over time, she can still move faster than light, shapeshift for short periods of time, and throw a grown man across the room. All of these skills make her a particularly adept Private Investigator. Mary Lambert has just earned her Master’s degree in creative writing and aspires to be an author. Lin hires her to be a live-in ghostwriter and record her memoirs, which cover many eras, cultures, historical events, and criminal cases. As Lin recounts a tale about trafficked women hidden in a D.C. suburb, Mary begins to realize just how powerful her host is. Soon, Mary finds herself becoming an integral member of the Thoren household—in more ways than one. Hope Katz Gibbs, PR director, podcast/video producer, Elaine’s Literary Salon About this episode’s host: Hope Katz Gibbs, journalist, author, podcast/video producer, and PR director at Elaine’s Literary Salon “Interviewing authors is a passion of mine,” says Hope, who has been a journalist since graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1986. Her articles have appeared in dozens of publications including The Washington Post, The Miami Herald, Costco’s Connection, The National Press Club, Beach Life magazine, and more. She has won numerous journalism awards for her writing. Her books include PR Rules: The Playbook, Why Divorce: 5 Reasons to Leave, and the upcoming anthology, Walking on the Beach with Natalie. She founded Inkandescent PR + Publishing Co. in 2008, and in the decades since has promoted the work of hundreds of entrepreneurs, authors, artists, educators, and more. She is the publisher of three online magazines: InkandescentWomen.com, BeInkandescent.com Health & Wellness magazine, and InkandescentKids.com magazine. Her company produces more than 30 podcast series on InkandescentRadio.com, which gets more than 1 million hits/month; the video versions of the shows are featured on Inkandescent.tv. Her company also publishes books for its clients. Find those titles here. ElaineLiterarySalon.com: In 2024, Hope partnered with bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, founder of the project and the regular host of the series. Their podcast/video show ranks #1 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for literary salon shows: ElainesLiterarySalon.tv Find Elaine’s Literary Salon events here. Check back for new episodes of Elaine’s Literary Salon on Inkandescent.tvand listen to all the podcasts on InkandescentRadio.com. Elaine’s Literary Salon is located at Elaine’s Restaurant, 208 Queen Street, Alexandria VA About Elaine’s Restaurant:  A menu filled with delicious modern Mediterranean cuisine selections is sure to please everyone in your party. The dishes are inspired by exquisite food from Alexandria, Egypt — a blend of Middle Eastern and French, Greek, and Italian influences. Elaine’s is named for the owner’s grandmother and is based on a promise she made at the age of 12, growing up in Cairo. “I promised my grandma I would someday own a restaurant and name it after her,” shares Cynthia, who is also an author. She and her husband, bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, are proud to share my family’s recipes with new friends and families in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.” Located in an 1880s building, it was the former home of the beloved bistro Bilbo Baggins for 38 years. The newly renovated restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town’s Historic District within sight of the Potomac River and Founders Park, just a few blocks from The Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Old Town Alexandria Waterfront. Make a reservation today: elaines-restaurant.com.

Meet the Author: For more than 34 years, Towanda Brown has called Howard County, Maryland, home. Here, she raised two successful African-American sons and emerged as a beacon of advocacy, working tirelessly to ensure fair opportunities in education and beyond for her children and her community. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and an unwavering pursuit of justice—not only for herself, but for all who strive to stand for their rights in the face of daunting legal challenges. With over three decades of experience in business analysis and project management, Towanda now serves as the President of TRACKS, LLC. Her professional expertise seamlessly extends into her passion for community empowerment and legal advocacy. Drawing on both her career accomplishments and personal journey, she is dedicated to equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to confidently navigate the legal system. Towanda’s mission is clear: to transform individuals from passive participants in their legal struggles into empowered, well-informed litigants—capable of advocating for themselves with the same confidence and strategic insight as seasoned attorneys. Learn more: itsmyjourney.net About “Empowering Pro-Se Litigants: This groundbreaking guide is designed to illuminate the path of self-representation in legal matters. Drawing from her extensive advocacy work and personal journey through the legal system, Brown demystifies the often-intimidating world of pro se litigation. More than a legal handbook, this work is a manifesto for empowerment, resilience, and strategic action. Brown has carefully compiled practical insights on every stage of navigating the courts alone—from understanding fundamental legal procedures to mastering the skills of effective self-representation. Tailored for those who, whether by financial necessity, circumstance, or personal conviction, must represent themselves, this book equips readers from all walks of life to better understand their rights and defend them with confidence. Blending legal expertise with practical advice and personal anecdotes, Brown not only explains howto succeed as a pro-se litigant but also addresses the psychological and emotional challenges along the way. Readers will find encouragement to remain resilient, focused, and prepared for the journey of standing up for themselves in court. Click here to buy the book. “Unchecked Spirits Get Stronger” is a motto born from her journey as a pro-se litigant. It reflects the inner and outer battles—like fear, doubt, anxiety, and isolation—that she had to confront and overcome to stay the course. These ‘spirits’ represent destructive thoughts and pressures that, if left unchecked, grow stronger and sabotage our purpose. Through her book “Empowering Pro-Se Litigants”, she shares how setting boundaries, seeking support, and staying grounded can help silence those voices and overcome these unseen battles. The logo symbolizes resilience, vigilance, and the power of self-awareness to silence destructive voices and reclaim strength. Her goal is to inspire others to identify and confront their own unchecked spirits. When you control your thoughts, you control your power. There is a lot of symbolism in the logo: The stance.  For martial artists, we know that one of the strongest stances is the horse stance: steady, grounded, and unshakable. Just as warriors depend on their stance to endure the fiercest attacks, we are called to stand firm. The armor. Whether seen as spiritual armor or battle attire, the message is the same—strength comes through preparation, discipline, and vigilance. For the believer, this is the full armor of God. It reminds us that unchecked spirits—whether doubt, fear, pride, or distraction—gain strength when ignored. To withstand them, you must daily put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit. For all warriors, this is the gear from Ancient Roman warriors for battle, including the type of sword.  The logo features a “gladius” sword.  It has a double edge for cutting and a pointed tip for thrusting. This sword was used for close-quarters combat, which we face daily.  The shadow.  This shadow can depict that the threat can be from inside of you or outside of you.  However, the enemy is not always outside of us. There is an African proverb mentioned in the book “When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you”. When you address the negative thoughts about yourself first, you are less likely to believe the negativity expressed towards you by others since you are mentally stronger and better equipped to handle whatever comes your way. About Elaine’s Literary Salon Host, bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins: A retired supervisory special agent who writes suspense and thriller novels, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays, in the 20 years Jeffrey worked as a counter-terrorism specialist, he 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. CNN, Fox News, and The New York Times have interviewed him, and he’s appeared on CNN Declassified, National Geographic’s Narco Wars, ABC News, and Discovery ID. He has a BS in Journalism and an MS in Criminal Justice. Jeff is a #1 Amazon bestselling author who’s won the Claymore Award, PenCraft’s Best Fiction Book of the Year, and a Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal. His debut novel, Furious, is one of Black Rose Writing’s bestselling thrillers, and The Forever Game was selected as one of the Best Medical Thrillers of the 21st century. Severn River Publishing launched four books in the Nathan Burke international thriller series, and Library Journal selected The Havana Syndrome as one of the best books of 2025. He owns Elaine’s Literary Salon in Alexandria, VA, where he counsels writers and interviews authors. He hosts Elaine’s Literary Salon podcast, which reaches 1.5 million people per month and is #1 on both Apple and Spotify for literary salons. The video version of the series is available on YouTube: ElainesLiterarySalon.tv. Jeffrey is an Authors Guild ambassador for the DC area and a frequent panelist at conferences and book festivals. Learn more: jeffreyjameshiggings.com Find more Elaine’s Literary Salon events here: ElainesLiterarySalon.com Elaine’s Literary Salon is located at Elaine’s Restaurant, 208 Queen Street, Alexandria VA About Elaine’s Restaurant:  A menu filled with delicious modern Mediterranean cuisine selections is sure to please everyone in your party. The dishes are inspired by exquisite food from Alexandria, Egypt — a blend of Middle Eastern and French, Greek, and Italian influences. Elaine’s is named for the owner’s grandmother and is based on a promise she made at the age of 12, growing up in Cairo. “I promised my grandma I would someday own a restaurant and name it after her,” shares Cynthia, who is also an author. She and her husband, bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, are proud to share my family’s recipes with new friends and families in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.” Located in an 1880s building, it was the former home of the beloved bistro Bilbo Baggins for 38 years. The beautifully renovated restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town’s Historic District within sight of the Potomac River and Founders Park, just a few blocks from The Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Old Town Alexandria Waterfront. Make a reservation today: elaines-restaurant.com.

About Author Tanya Stokes: A bestselling author, publisher, spoken word artist, and creative entrepreneur whose work inspires healing, personal growth, and purposeful living, Tanya is the founder of Compassionate Designs Publishing. Tanya has helped aspiring authors transform their stories into professionally published books while empowering them to embrace their voices with confidence. Through her writing, speaking, and workshops, she creates spaces where authenticity, faith, and resilience intersect. Her latest book, The Woman I’m Becoming, is a powerful guide to self-discovery, healing, and transformation, encouraging women to release limiting beliefs, embrace their worth, and boldly step into the women they were created to become. Tanya is also the creator of the Praise & Paint experience, blending creativity, biblical encouragement, and reflection into unforgettable events that promote healing and connection. Whether speaking from the stage, sharing poetry, or guiding readers through life’s transitions, Tanya’s message remains the same: your story matters, your healing is possible, and your becoming is worth embracing. Learn more: compassionate-designs.com When she’s not writing or mentoring new authors, Tanya serves her community through the ANT777 Motorcycle Foundation, an organization dedicated to motorcycle safety awareness and honoring the legacy of her son through education, advocacy, and service. Learn more: ant777motorcyclefoundation.org “The Woman I’m Becoming,” by Tanya Stokes About the Book: The Woman I’m Becoming Your transformation starts here. If you’ve ever felt stuck, unseen, or unworthy, The Woman I’m Becoming is your invitation to rewrite the story. This empowering self-help and personal growth book for women blends raw truth, relatable storytelling, and practical tools to help you reclaim your confidence, heal your heart, and step fully into the life you deserve. Author and poet Tanya Stokes takes you on an intimate journey of self-discovery, sharing powerful life lessons on: Self-love and self-worth—how to love yourself first without guilt Confidence and boundaries—mastering the art of saying “no” with grace and strength Emotional healing—breaking free from cycles of love deprivation and scarcity Spiritual growth—nurturing your faith and finding peace in the process Life alignment—defining success on your terms, not the world’s Courage and visibility—coming out of the shadows and owning your voice Each chapter includes reflection prompts, journaling exercises, and affirmations designed to help you apply the lessons to your own life—making this an interactive guide for women ready to evolve mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Whether you’re navigating heartbreak, healing from loss, stepping into a new season, or simply craving a deeper connection with yourself, The Woman I’m Becoming will give you the tools, encouragement, and unapologetic push you need to: Stop waiting for permission and start living boldly. If you enjoy books like Untamed by Glennon Doyle, Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab, or Believe Bigger by Marshawn Evans Daniels—you’ll love the honesty, empowerment, and life-changing insights in this book. Step into the next chapter of your life. Meet the woman you were always meant to be. Click here to buy The Woman I’m Becoming. About our host, Hope Katz Gibbs, journalist, author, podcast/video producer, and PR director at Elaine’s Literary Salon: A journalist since graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1986, Hope’s articles have appeared in dozens of publications including The Washington Post, The Miami Herald, Costco’s Connection, The National Press Club, Beach Life magazine, and more. She has won numerous journalism awards for her writing, including her book, PR Rules: The Playbook. Hope founded Inkandescent PR + Publishing Co. in 2008 and, over the decades since, has promoted the work of hundreds of authors, artists, educators, and entrepreneurs. She publishes three online magazines: InkandescentWomen.com • BeInkandescent.com Health & Wellness magazine • InkandescentKids.com. Her company builds websites and produces more than 30 podcasts each month on InkandescentRadio.com, which gets more than 1 million hits/month; the video versions of the shows are featured on Inkandescent.tv. Inkandescent® also publishes books: Find those titles on her PR website, Inkandescent.us. 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.

Meet the Author: S.J. Rozan was born and raised in the Bronx and is proud of it. She spent over 20 years as an architect in New York City and is kind of proud of that, too. Now she writes and teaches. She’s done 15 books in the Lydia Chin/Bill Smith series, two standalones, and two paranormals co-written with Carlos Dews under the name Sam Cabot. She’s also published eight dozen short stories and edited or co-edited three anthologies. In 2024, with THE MURDER OF MR. MA, SJ launched a new series co-written with John Shen Yen Nee. SJ’s work has won the Edgar, Anthony, Shamus, Nero, and Macavity Awards, and she’s a recipient of the Japanese Maltese Falcon. She’s served on the National Boards of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime and is a past President of the Private Eye Writers of America. She’s received Lifetime Achievement Awards from both Private Eye Writers of America and the Short Mystery Fiction Society. SJ has been Guest of Honor at Left Coast Crime, Toastmaster at Bouchercon, and an invited speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland (2003). As if that weren’t enough, she has the key to the city of Fort Worth, Texas. Pre-order her newest novel — coming November 10, 2026 A Warning to the Curious (A Dee and Lao Mystery Book 3): A missing shipment of weapons for China and the murder of an aspiring scientist kick-start a madcap dash through the world of seances, prizefighting, cutting-edge technology, Holmesian cameos, and many disguises. London, 1924. Judge Cheng Gao Shang has been sent by Sun Yat Sen’s government to look into the death of Dee Ren Jie, the larger-than-life investigator who had kept the local Chinese community safe. But Dee isn’t dead; he’s hiding out with his friends Lao She and Sergeant Hoong while keeping a close eye on Cheng’s activities. Has Cheng actually come to London to track down a shipment of arms covertly sent from England, intended for Sun Yat Sen as he attempts to unify China? Judge Cheng’s daughter, Irene, is also in London, and the intrepid, intellectually curious young woman quickly falls in with some very interesting associates. But tragedy soon strikes—or is it something more sinister? To find out, Dee Ren Jie will have to rise from the dead in this action-packed kung fu caper, the third installment of the Anthony Award–winning Dee and Lao Mystery Series. Click here to buy all of S.J.’s books. 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 VA About Elaine’s Restaurant:  A menu filled with delicious modern Mediterranean cuisine selections is sure to please everyone in your party. The dishes are inspired by exquisite food from Alexandria, Egypt — a blend of Middle Eastern and French, Greek, and Italian influences. Elaine’s is named for the owner’s grandmother and is based on a promise she made at the age of 12, growing up in Cairo. “I promised my grandma I would someday own a restaurant and name it after her,” shares Cynthia, who is also an author. She and her husband, bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, are proud to share my family’s recipes with new friends and families in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.” Located in an 1880s building, it was the former home of the beloved bistro Bilbo Baggins for 38 years. The newly renovated restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town’s Historic District within sight of the Potomac River and Founders Park, just a few blocks from The Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Old Town Alexandria Waterfront. Make a reservation today: elaines-restaurant.com.

Today on Elaine’s Literary Salon: Meet violinist Joan Singer, the founder and director of QuinTango. Managing the group combines Joan’s flair for storytelling and weakness for glitz with her love of music and travel. Before founding QuinTango, she played at Inaugural Balls, backed up Aretha Franklin and was a tenured member of the Baltimore Opera Orchestra. About QuinTango: For the last 28-years, performances have taken the group from a Command Performance at the White House to memorable concerts in 29 states and across 3 continents, at venues ranging from Stanford University and Lincoln Center Plaza to churches in Appalachia and Piccolo Spoleto in Charleston. Meet the musicians of QuinTango (left to right): Hai Jin, Joan Singer, Emmanuel Trifilio, Regino Madrid, and Ali Cook The ensemble has performed at international festivals in Costa Rica, Mexico, Uruguay and the Amalfi Coast—and toured in France, Italy, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Argentina and Uruguay. In 2019, the group expanded its repertoire to include original tangos and vocals, both made possible by the addition of new personnel. QuinTango’s commitment to education, community engagement, and global partnerships, coupled with their personal performance style, has built a devoted community of fans worldwide. With 90+tangos on Spotify and 8 CDs, QuinTango’s music streams 20K times a week on six continents.  QuinTango’s next album, VIDA, will be released in 2027. Get your tickets for the September 23 performance at Blues Alley for Argentinean Jazz Week: Blues Alley Hispanic Heritage Jazz Month Quintango is previewing its new album at Blues Alley, the premier jazz supper club in the country, which today is called a “listening room” Tickets are available at the Blues Alley website: InstantSeats, $35 Buy your tickets for the 7pm show Buy your tickets for 9:30pm show Coming in 2027: Quintango’s new album features music by ensemble members Emmanuel Trifilio and Ali Cook. The guest artist on the album, Mariana Quinteros, is a Latin Grammy-nominated artist from Argentina now living in Miami Bring QuinTango home: QuinTango’s music is available on all streaming platforms (Apple, Spotify, Pandora, etc) and can be purchased digitally at Bandcamp. Learn more about QuinTango andjoin its mailing list for alerts about new projects, overseas travel opportunities with the group, or upcoming concerts: quintango.com. Meet QuinTango’s musicians: Ali Cook, bass and vocals, is a multi-talented singer/songwriter, arranger, instrumentalist and teacher who is equally comfortable touring Europe as a bassist with the National Symphony or performing on 6th street in Austin with her band, Ali & the Wild Geese. She performs regularly with the Detroit Symphony and is on faculty at Opal Studio in Alexandria. Hai Jin, piano, is an active concert pianist, chamber musician, and orchestral soloist who has performed over 200 recitals throughout United States and Asia. Dr. Jin pursued her DMA at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in Piano Performance with a cognate area in Orchestral Conducting. She is on faculty at Peabody Conservatory in the Preparatory School. Joan Singer, violin, founder and director of QuinTango, combines her flair for storytelling and weakness for glitz with her love of music and travel. Before founding QuinTango, she played at Inaugural Balls, backed up Aretha Franklin and was a tenured member of the Baltimore Opera Orchestra. Regino Madrid, violin, is a member of the National symphony Orchestra, Sound Impact Collective and the Chiarina Chamber Players in DC, as well as concertmaster of The American Pops Orchestra. For twenty years he performed at the White House as a member of “The President’s Own,” the U.S. Marine Chamber Orchestra. Emmanuel Trifilio, bandoneon, discovered a bandoneon in a second-hand shop in his native Argentina, launching his love affair with tango. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and with orchestras throughout the USA and Cuba. His “Tango Poesia,” the intimate sub-genre of tango created by Trifilio and championed by QuinTango, has been a source of inspiration for both fans and the band. (more…)