A Book and a Chat with Veronica Faye

Following the recent list of thriller, mystery writers who have appeared on “A Book and a Chat” comes today’s guest Veronica Faye.

An avid fan of Agatha Christie’s British tea-cozy mysteries and the hard-boiled novels about detective Easy Rawlins by Walter Mosley since she was a teenager, Veronica recently published "My Past Came Knocking: The Savannah Wooten Case" the first in the Gemini Jones series which I’m sure will become a must set of novels for those who love mystery thrillers.

Veronica started writing the book in 2006 when she was going through her own trials and tribulations undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.

About Gemini Jones - My Past Came Knocking: The Savannah Wooten Case: (taken from PRNews)

Veronica Faye pens a murder mystery that follows two women who find the strength to overcome their painful past. The novel’s lead character, Gemini Jones, is a successful African-American attorney who manages a high-profile career while keeping her bipolar disorder in check. Her newest case revolves around the murder of David Ban, a politician widely beloved in the city’s black community.

The client who brings the case to her is a woman she knows all too well: Savannah Wooten. Both women share a painful past together; Gemini and Savannah were able to overcome their traumatizing ordeals to arrive as successful, accomplished women. Yet the murder of Ban, the politician, will force them to relive the past and deal with secrets they long considered lost to time. To proceed with the legal case, both women will have to reveal painful secrets and uncover the real David Ban that the public never knew.

Full of sharp-witted humor and heart-breaking tragedy, “Gemini Jones” is an engrossing read. In the personality of power lawyer Gemini, author Faye has crafted a character that will be a role model for African-American women and an inspiration to anyone who has ever had to manage bipolar disorder while holding down a professional career. A story of pain, tragedy, endurance and success, the novel sends a powerful message of hope as told through the compelling story of two strong black women.

“Gemini Jones: ‘My Past Came Knocking’ – The Savannah Wooten Case” is a mystery that will lure readers with its message of overcoming adversity, its witty, tough characters and a plot that will get readers quickly turning pages.

With the second in the series already underway, Veronica explained that she wants wants Gemini to be a role model for African-American women as well as an inspiration to those who manage bipolar disorder while holding down a professional career.

So listen now and share an interesting and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today on A Book and a Chat with Veronica Faye

Barry

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A Book and a Chat with Dr Allen Malnak

Dr. Allen Malnak is today’s guest on “A Book and a Chat” talking about his debut novel “Hitler’s Silver Box”.

Dr Malnak after a long career in the medical profession retired to Florida, there he read one day about a course in writing fiction where Hollis Alpert, a well known novelist, biographer, short story editor and movie critic was to be the teacher.

Dr Malnak took these classes for a couple of years learning the writing trade through various assignments often ending up in the form of short stories.

One such subject was titled “A Silver Box.” And for some reason, Dr Malnak decided to write it about a concentration camp prisoner at the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp who was forced by a Nazi colonel to make a silver box which would be a present for Adolph Hitler. Thus started the journey to “Hitler’s Silver Box”

Perhaps it was not is strange for Dr Malnak to write about the such matters when you consider that when his Dad died of natural causes during the Second World War and immediately following the war, along with his late brother Lewis he began to try to track down his father’s European family. They wrote letters to everyone they could think of and after about a year received a detailed reply from the International Red Cross. Nazi records as well as witness reports indicated that all members of his dad’s family had been murdered either in or near Kovno or after transfer to a death camp. Every man, woman and child!... So, one entire side of my family was destroyed by the Nazis.

“Hitler’s Silver Box” is not just about the war and what went on, it a wonderful novel that is full of tension with a rich plot with numerous twists and turns and a variety of different conflicts as well as an engaging love subplot.
The style of the novel is clear, the structure is skilled, and the ending is satisfying

About “Hitler’s Silver Box”(Taken from blogcritics.org book review)

Dr. Allen Malnak’s Hitler’s Silver Box is a compelling thriller that will keep the reader glued to the pages of the book until the book is finished.

Max Bloomberg, an old bookseller, living in one of Chicago’s affluent suburbs is brutally murdered. However, Max suffered a lot of trials and tribulations even before he was murdered. The killers burned all of his holy books and forced him to turn over the silver box. But he refuses to give it to them. So, they murder Max.

Bruce, Max’s nephew, learns about his uncle’s murder and is devastated. Bruce becomes suspicious of the unexpected nature of the murder and knows in his heart that foul play must have been involved. What even adds to Bruce’s suspicions is that he learns that Max has been cremated. But an orthodox Jew would never want to be cremated. Then in a real twist the uncle leaves Bruce a lot of money and property which makes Bruce himself a suspect.

Things get much more complicated when Bruce starts searching for the journal that his uncle left. The reader is then transported to 1945 when Max was a prisoner in a concentration camp. Innocent people were killed all over the place and Bruce discovers that he must find the Silver Box before it is too late. The secret document is hidden within it, and it could the save the world from Nazi resurgence.

I can see this being a huge hit for Dr Malnak, and as he shared with us, he left some lose ends to “Hitler’s Silver Box” which are already forming into a follow up novel.

As one reviewer wrote…

"The characters in Hitler's Silver Box are quite intriguing and well developed. I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in reading of events of the Holocaust or to anyone looking for a gripping, fast-paced novel."--

They recommended the book, and so do I.

So listen now and share an interesting,and entertaining thirty minutes with my guest Dr Allen Malnak.


If you have enjoyed the blog or the radio show, why not become a follower of the show?

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Dr Allen Malnak

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Barry Eva (Storyheart)

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A Book and a Chat with DJ Brown

DJ Brown, or Donna as I’ll call her, joins me for a chat over a cup of tea on today’s “A Book and a Chat”.

She has always been a person interested in writing, in fact when she was in 4th Grade; Donna submitted her first full-length, illustrated book to Doubleday. A “kindly” editor took the time to write to her, both to let her know that her book did not fit into any of their current categories and also to encourage her to continue to write, no matter what.

From that moment on she was hooked and has been writing and submitting her work ever since, be it one of her many short stories, which she hopes one day to publish as a collection or her wonderful novel “Butterfly Season”.

About Butterfly Season:

BUTTERFLY SEASON is part thriller and part magical realism. The book takes Lila Dean to the edge of madness and back as she learns to deal with tremendous loss and overwhelming fear in order to protect her daughter Olivia, whose extraordinary gift not only seals her destiny, but changes the lives of the people of Freedom, Texas forever.

What people say about “Butterfly Season”:

“I just finished this book and I have to say I was literally blown away. Since I have "limited" time because of working two jobs...I very carefully choose the books that I purchase to read. This book's title is what originally caught my eye...but upon reading the little blurb on the back...I decided to purchase it. I was not disappointed in the least in the book. The storyline is one that grabs you from the beginning and just keeps you turning pages. I thank goodness that I had two days off....because I started the book one day and finished it the second. The author has a wonderful way of making you feel as though you are sitting right next to the characters. She's vivid in her descriptions of the characters and it makes you really feel a part of their story. I certainly look forward to further books by this author as she's a fantastic story teller. Be sure to purchase this book and read it...you will not be disappointed!” - Mary J. Kirkpatrick

Well Mary, judging by the many reviews I have read you are not the only one who can’t wait to read more by this talented author.

So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today on A Book and a Chat with DJ Brown

Barry

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A Book and a Chat with DJ Brown

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Barry Eva (Storyheart)

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A Book and a Chat with David W Huffstetler

I am very happy to welcome as today’s guest on “A Book and a Chat” thriller, well that’s one hat he wares, author David W Huffstetler.

David spent a lot of his life working for various areas of human relations, as well as weaving his way through the political maze. His journey as a senior manager with a major industrial concern took him to international venues and exposures that helped feed his urge to write "Disposable People", a dramatic expose of the working conditions and politics that engulf undocumented workers. This debut book is in the top-ten “Suggested Book” at Tufts University in Boston, MA.

This first book was followed by “Dead in Utah”

It’s the murder of the century, and it’s only 1914. Hell came to visit when thirteen-year-old Merlin Morrison watched his father and brother shot to death in their family grocery store. Joe Hill, the controversial musician and union organizer is the only suspect, and he is enough for the police and the politicians. He claims he is innocent, but no one seems to care, and Lady Justice gasps for breath as he goes to trial. The crusty Captain of Police, John Hempel, fights for the truth for Hill and pushes his way past union activists who want to free him and Copper Bosses who want to hang him. And in the middle of it all is young Merlin, trying to put his life back together and wondering if the right man is on trial. This book is inspired by a true story.

While the first two books might be classed as somewhat historical, his latest book "Blood on the Pen" is one hot thriller!

About “Blood on the Pen”

Someone is killing literary agents, and Jack Harden’s only reason to live is to find the killer. This modern-day Texas Ranger is haunted by his wife’s death a year ago and the urge to kill the drunk driver who took her, or kill himself. Enter Elsie Rodriguez, the young reporter assigned to the murders for her newspaper and ordered to stay with Jack Harden. He’s old school, tough, and doesn’t want her there. Theirs is a complex, often stormy relationship, but the big Ranger triggers something inside her, something more than her Latin temper. They weave their way from the busy streets of Dallas to the River Walk in San Antonio, across the Hill Country, and to the limestone caverns of Sonora in a desperate chase.

Can she pull Jack from the edge of sanity, back to the living? Or will it end with a psychopath taking two more lives and living to write about it?

As one five star review put it…

Blood on the Pen A great read from the first page to the last page. Very imaginative story, one I would recommend to all of my friends. Can’t wait for another one from David Huffstetler.

Well reader as we learned from David you will not have to wait too long to hear more about Elsie and Jack as a new book “Blood on the Cards” is already on the way.

So listen now and share an interesting and entertaining show as I spend thirty minutes sharing "A Book and a Chat with David W Huffstetler".

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with David W Huffstetler

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"David W Huffstetler"

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"David W Huffstetler - Blood on the Pen"

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

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A Book and a Chat with Stephen Langford

My guest on today’s “A Book and a Chat” is Stephen Langford, who along with co-author Dr David Fett is the creator of the great new bioterrorist thriller “White Sleeper”.

Stephen is a TV and movie writer and producer of more than 150 hours of prime time television. His credits include “Family Matters,” “Malcolm and Eddie,” and the movie “Lovewrecked,” for which he was screenwriter.

Dr. David Fett is an ophthalmic plastic surgeon specializing in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery around the eye, such as removing skin cancers around the eye, fixing children born with drooped lids, accidents, etc. He holds a BS degree in applied biochemistry, an MS degree in toxicology from MIT and received his MD from Dartmouth Medical School. Fett has published numerous articles on medical topics; White Sleeper is his first work of fiction.

The two of them came together some years ago with the idea to write a thriller in the both being fans of the biological terror novels of Michael Crichton (“The Andromeda Strain”) and Robin Cook (“Coma”), so it was natural for them to conceive a novel in a similar vein. The fact that their book is now talked about at the same level as those of Crichton and Cook shows that they have indeed created a novel that many are enjoying.

About “White Sleeper”:

Osama bin Laden may be gone, but threats of terrorist attacks on the United States still remain a frightening possibility. Among the scariest scenarios is an attack using toxic biological agents, which could cause untold number of deaths throughout this country.

When Arkansas experiences a wave of rare, fatal diseases, the CDC calls in Dave Richards, a doctor with a shady past, to investigate. Richards sees this as an opportunity to clear his reputation and save his career. He joins with FBI agent Paula Mushari to investigate the seeming plague. When they think they’ve found the person responsible for the bioterrorism, the find themselves drawn deeper into a sinister pact between a white supremacist and a vengeful terrorist sect, each bent on causing mass destruction on the American populace. Richards and Mushari must race against the clock – and their own personal issues – to prevent a catastrophic plague from breaking out.

What critics and readers are saying about White Sleeper:“

I found this book hard to put down, and I loved the action and the interaction between Dave and Paul. The story is believable, and the writing is great. If you’re a fan of Robin Cook, then you’ll enjoy this newcomer.” Asthepageturns.blogspot.com.

“White Sleeper is a lightning-fast-paced story about two characters trying to stop a homegrown terrorist from unleashing a deadly virus on American citizens. Those who are looking for a straightforward action story about deadly viruses won’t be disappointed.” Prettyopinionated.com

So listen to an interesting and hugely entertaining show as I spend thirty minutes sharing "A Book and a Chat with Stephen Langford".

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Stephen Langford"

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Stephen Langford and Dr David Fett"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Stephen Langford and Dr David Fett - White Sleeper"

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

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A Book and a Chat with Philip L Davidson

Sometimes I have guests on the show whose real life adventures and tales are better than any book that could be written. My guest today Philip L Davidson is one such person.

A Vietnam Vet, he found himself in Berlin, one of the very few people tasked with guarding the Nazi war criminal Rudolf Hess. Hess was the last remaining prisoner in Spandau, the entire prison complex was maintained for this one inmate. After leaving the Armed Services he moved on to an even more exciting career, a law enforcement officer, a teacher, a coach, and now a Civil Rights Lawyer.

Not that his book “DREAMER” is his first dip into literature. Back in 1979 he wrote a text book, I think the title might give the subject matter away, ‘SWAT’. This was the text adopted across the countries police forces to develop SWAT teams, much of what he wrote still be the bases for teaching today.

In his debut novel “Dreamer” the major theme is the internal squabbles and conflict that went on within Argentina following the demise of the Peron’s. When the military ruled with an iron fist and tens of thousands of people went missing, tortured and then killed by the military Junta. Being around the time of the Falkland invasion, of course as an Englishman it brings back to me much of what went on at that time.

Another theme that runs throughout Dreamer is good versus evil, God versus Satan. In the interview we explored this at some length. Phil himself, I think, has been a little surprised by what some reviewers and readers have said about this aspect.

Somehow, someway, Dreamer has been labeled as Christian Literature.
It is a book that will appeal to many from the religious to the readers of a good action/thriller and is one the books of the summer.

We also heard about Philip’s next book “The Purple Panther” which hopefully he’ll be back to chat about when the book is launched.

So listen to an interesting and hugely entertaining show as I spend thirty minutes sharing "A Book and a Chat with today Philip L Davidson "

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Philip L Davidson".

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Philip L Davidson"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Philip L Davidson - Dreamer"

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

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A Book and a Chat with Estevan Vega

After a slight delay owing to lost phones and flat batteries my guest finally was able to join me on tonight’s “A Book and a Chat”.

Estevan Vega has been on the show several times before including sharing the guest seat during the popular Male YA Author month set of shows.
He was author of The Servant of the Realm and The Sacred Sin, both fantasy/thriller novels published by the time he was eighteen.

These were followed by his hugely successful and popular book “Arson”. This will soon be followed by the now completed “Arson Two” though of course as Estevan shared with us will not be the final name of the book.

Many of the questions left unanswered from book one will be explained with many a new question being posed for a book three. With the popularity of Arson, I’m sure the second book, no matter what the title is being eagerly anticipated by many readers.
To keep his fans happy Estevan has also produced an E-book of three short stories called “When Colors Bleed”

WHEN COLORS BLEED is a short story collection that features three unique colors: love, loss, and regret. Both palpable and haunting, each story is a glimpse into human frailty and desperation.

BABY BLUE:
Casey never had any luck with men, even though she was employed by one of the finest clothing stores in New England and saw attractive, “sure kinds” strolling through her section every day like clockwork. At twenty-three years old, she has given up on her dreams of the spotlight, of finding love, and of ever getting out of the small town she reluctantly calls home. But one rainy afternoon, Thomas Rayford, a very unusual and kind stranger, stumbles into her life looking for an odd, baby blue suit. One thing is certain: Casey, the twenty-three-year-old dreamer stuck in a line, will never be the same.

VANILLA RED:
From his cold hell in Block C, a nameless man unfolds this twisted tale. This is the story of a man who becomes something else. A man who had a father once. A man who loved once. “They want to know why. They want a reason,” he confesses. “But nobody likes the reasons. They’re like unwanted children or cancers with no cure. A reason is a justification, an excuse so we can’t be blamed. But I know what it is I’ve done, and there is no reason that can take it back.” So begins Vanilla Red, a confession, a story, a prayer, or perhaps a drip of dark truth in the batter of humanity. Take a look inside and tell me what color you see.

THE MAN IN THE COLORED ROOM:
Colin awakens in a room, jittery, afraid, and confused. He knows not how he got here, who brought him, or why. And the only thing waiting for him is a hot cup of coffee and a seemingly flawless room that bleeds colors. As an architect, he understands that no room is perfect, but somehow this anomaly has crawled through the cracks and pushed the limits of perfection. No seams. No lines. No windows. Enter a bald man in a suit. Once he steps through the door, he makes the colors disappear with the push of button. His name is Jack, and he claims to be a friend. Still unsure of anything, Colin wages war with his mind, with a dark truth he isn’t ready to accept, and with Jack. In the moments that follow, Jack asks Colin a series of questions, questions that will reveal the where, the how, and the why of his arrival.

So listen to an interesting and hugely entertaining show as I spend thirty minutes sharing "A Book and a Chat with Estevan Vega"

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Estevan Vega".

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Estevan Vega"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Estevan Vega - Arson"

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

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A Book and a Chat with C.S.Lakin

When I read that my guest on today’s show had written that she” prefers to write than even eating chocolate,” I thought this is a lady I’d love to have on the show. C.S. Lakin (Susanne) did not let me down, in an hour full on entertainment and interesting facts she shared with us much of her path to literary success as well as what she has to share with us in the future.

She wrote her first novel over twenty three years ago, and got picked up almost straight away by a top literary agent. But it was not an overnight success, writing subjects from suspense and mystery to sci-fi it never really happened. That is until the last couple of years, when two of her books were published within months of each other.

Her contemporary fiction novel “Someone to Blame” won the Zondervan First Novel contest in 2009. The book is full of tension, written with scenes and characters that make you wanting to keep turning the page, keeping the reader guessing as to what happens next.

At the same time she produced “The Wolf of Tebron” her first book in her fantasy series “The Gates of Heaven”. With book four of the series already written, and at least three more yet to come, this fantasy series is going to prove hugely popular.

C.S. Lakin has not just taken over the mantel from C.S. Lewis for adult fairytale/fantasy writing, but with her other writing has set her literary level of success to something that others will be looking up to.

So listen to an interesting and entertaining show as I spend sixty minutes sharing "A Book and a Chat with C.S.Lakin"

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with C.S.Lakin".

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"C.S.Lakin"

You can find out more about my guest and his books at:
"C.S.Lakin - The Gates of Heaven Series"

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

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A Book and a Chat with Joshua Graham

My guest today Joshua Graham, for a concert cellist writes a mighty fine book.

His debut full length novel “Beyond Justice”, is not only proof that his calling is as much as a writer as a musician, also that the time spent as a graduate of the Master Classes and professional writing workshops he attended have really homed his skills.

From short fiction novels under various nom-de-plume’s, with “Beyond Justice” Josh has spread his wings to produce a book that is already on many Amazon best seller lists.

Josh shared with us during the show how an idea for this story quickly blossomed into this 400+ page novel, which has become such a popular read for all ages.

BEYOND JUSTICE:

In Beyond Justice, through Samuel Hudson we explore the depths of human character when his worst nightmares become a reality. His wife and daughter brutally raped and murdered, his son beaten and left for dead. And on top of all that, he becomes the primary suspect. This is for sure a legal/crime thriller but it also reaches at the core of one’s belief system. The most powerful themes in this story are loss, redemption, forgiveness and justice.

We heard how the opening chapters were hard to write Josh having to put himself in the position of Samuel Hudson, becoming the character and sharing the suffering the loss of his hero.

Now a full time writer, we learned about the other works either underway or needing that final bit of polishing, but as Josh stated, “Beyond Justice” has opened the door for him, and now I’m sure we’ll hear much more from this talented writer.

So sit back and enjoy an entertaining thirty minutes on a "Book and a Chat with Joshua Graham".

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Joshua Graham"

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
Joshua Graham"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Joshua Graham - Beyond Justice"

Don't Forget November is MALE YA MONTH



Barry Eva (Storyheart)

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