Inside Scoop Live!
🎧 Inside Scoop Live! — THE OFFICIAL PODCAST OF READER VIEWS — Thought-provoking conversations with indie and small press authors. Go beyond the book and meet the people behind the pages—what drives them, what inspires them, and how their stories came to life.
🎧 Inside Scoop Live! — THE OFFICIAL PODCAST OF READER VIEWS — Thought-provoking conversations with indie and small press authors. Go beyond the book and meet the people behind the pages—what drives them, what inspires them, and how their stories came to life.
Episodes

Monday Mar 11, 2024
Tribal Honor by TG Brown
Monday Mar 11, 2024
Monday Mar 11, 2024
When T.G. Brown is not writing books, he is a martial arts practitioner and a competitive CrossFit athlete. He practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga, Boxing and Muay Thai.
He competed in the sport of CrossFit, before blowing out his knee in the 2021. Like most Crossfitters, he would do the "CrossFit Open." A nationwide test of fitness that introduces some of the hardest workouts in the world. In 2019, T.G. placed in the top 1 percent of the world, which was not enough to make the famous CrossFit Games, but he was proud of it nonetheless. In 2021, before injuring his knee, T.G. competed in a CrossFit competition involving the fittest Law Enforcement Officers in the world. He was the 29th fittest Law Enforcement Officer in the world that year.
T.G. Brown is also a certified Defensive Tactics Instructor for police officers in the state of Oregon. When he is not doing his own training, T.G. works with police officers or civilians who want to learn how to stay alive in verbal, physical, or deadly use-of-force conflicts.
Learn more about TG Brown and his work at : www.tgbrownbooks.com
Â
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
Literary Awards Accolades
About "Tribal Honor" and the Inspiration Behind the Story
Developing upstanding (and villainous) characters with authenticity
The influence of actual life and work experience on the plot and characters
Bringing tribal issues to the forefront
Representation in literature
What's next for TG Brown?
Â
TRIBAL HONOR
Warren Lawson is an elite Tribal Police Officer on the Jericho Nation Reservation in Oregon. A relatively peaceful place, but that’s all about to change.Marvin Bingham is a man with morals that vastly differ from Warren Lawson's. One man loves to kill; the other does everything he can to avoid killing.As Marvin claims another victim, he attracts the attention of two twin Native American brothers who want revenge outside the law, two brothers who happen to be very good at killing.Caught in the middle of three killers, Warren races to keep the peace in his town, a task that grows increasingly difficult as his moral compass is tested unlike ever before. With each twist and turn in the case, Warren contemplates whether the law is worth upholding, or if he is just like the very people he puts behind bars.Buckle in, as a seemingly cut-and-dry case turns into something horrific and complex, leaving the Jericho reservation in the wake of a bloody battle.
Â
CONNECT WITH TG BROWN!
Website: www.tgbrownbooks.com
Facebook: TG Brown
Instagram: tgbrownbooks

Tuesday Mar 05, 2024
Havana Hangover by Randy Richardson
Tuesday Mar 05, 2024
Tuesday Mar 05, 2024
An accomplished attorney and award-winning journalist, Randy Richardson is the founding member and president of the Chicago Writers Association. His latest novel, "Havana Hangover," earned recognition as a 2023 Finalist for the Kindle Book Awards and the BestThrillers.com Book Awards and received 5-Star Reviews from Reader Views and Readers' Favorites. With two more novels, "Cheeseland" and "Lost in the Ivy," plus a coauthored nonfiction work titled "Cubsessions," Randy's influence spans genres. His essays grace anthologies like "Chicken Soup for the Father and Son Soul," "Storytellers' True Stories About Love," and "Cubbie Blues," and literary journals such as Hypertext and Memory House. As The first male recipient of the National Federation of Press Women’s Communicator of Achievement Award, Randy is featured on NewCity’s "Lit 50: Who Really Books in Chicago" list for 2019 and 2022.
Learn more about Randy Richardson and his work at randyrichardson.co
Â
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About "Havana Hangover" and the inspiration behind the story.
Traveling, researching and writing about Cuba
Drawing from personal experiences
The influence of Ernest Hemingway
The importance of the writing community for authors
What's next for Randy Richardson?
Â
HAVANA HANGOVER
Thirty-year-old Chicago corporate lawyer Tanner Ford leaves behind a painful past and lucrative job for a bucket-list trip to Cuba with Jackson Swift, his estranged best friend from law school. But when they arrive, the oddities start adding up. Jackson evades questions about his wife and kids. Their itinerary keeps changing, and their tour guide might work for a fake company. When Tanner awakes after a rum-soaked night beside Dannel, a local musician with something to hide, and a text from Jackson that reads “HELP ME,” his dream vacation turns into a fight for survival. He is held hostage in an abandoned cigar factory, interrogated by the police, and hunted down by a mysterious “ghost” in the Cuban government. Beset by anxiety and panic attacks, Tanner is hurled unwittingly into an international conspiracy leading right back to Jackson and a friendship that began in betrayal.
Â
CONNECT WITH RANDY RICHARDSON!
https://www.randyrichardson.co/https://www.facebook.com/RandyRichardsonWriterhttp://twitter.com/lostintheivyhttps://www.instagram.com/randman61/https://www.linkedin.com/in/randyrichardson/https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2629753.Randy_Richardson
Â

Thursday Feb 22, 2024
Livy Little Honey Bee/Red Pandas Journey to Sikkim by Celia Straus
Thursday Feb 22, 2024
Thursday Feb 22, 2024
Celia Straus is an accomplished writer whose talents span television, film, and literature, earning her an Emmy nomination for the YouTube series "Kids Speak Out" in collaboration with the United Nations She also created and wrote the Emmy Award Winning Memorial Day Concert that was broadcast nationally on PBS. Her versatility in storytelling has been recognized with numerous additional awards, highlighting her ability to engage audiences across various platforms.
Straus’s literary contributions include a poetry trilogy for middle school girls, insightful works on military themes and children’s picture books where she hopes to ignite a love for animal conservation and encourage them to learn about, appreciate and protect our natural world.
Celia resides in Washington, D.C. but travels frequently to see her two daughters and gorgeous grandchildren, who are the apple of her eye.
You can learn more about Celia Straus and her work at https://celiastraus.com.
Â
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About "Livy Little Honey Bee" and "Red Pandas Journey to Sikkim" and the inspiration behind the stories
Balancing storytelling between providing educational content and entertainment
Encouraging a sense of self and care for the planet
Understanding environmental issues as young readers
What's next for Celia Straus?
Â
LEARN MORE:
A portion of proceeds from the sales of her children’s books are donated to organizations dedicated to conservation, education and research.
Â
LIVY LITTLE HONEY BEE
Livy is a honey bee who spends her days gathering nectar and pollen from flowers with other worker bees. But Livy runs into trouble when her determination to express who she really is and what she values in life runs counter to the rest of the hive. Ultimately she is called before the Queen Bee to plead her case.
Â
Â
Â
RED PANDAS JOURNEY TO SIKKIM
High in the Himalayan Mountains two young Red Pandas, Connor and Mishti, befriend a shy Pangolin.
Oblivious of their precarious existence, they dance and play together until a wise Sarus Crane disrupts their fun. They must flee, he warns them, before civilization destroys their forest home. He promises to lead them to Sikkim, a nature sanctuary across the mountains. The three friends follow his feathers on their long journey to safety.
Â

Monday Feb 12, 2024
"Secrets in the Islands" by Lauren de Leeuw
Monday Feb 12, 2024
Monday Feb 12, 2024
Lauren de Leeuw graduated with a degree in journalism; however, she was always far more interested in the adventure novel that was in her book bag as well as her next travel destination than she ever was with her current local news assignments. She has published many articles across a variety of platforms. Secrets in the Islands is her first book. Lauren lives on Vancouver Island with her husband and two wonderfully energetic children.
Learn more about Lauren de Leeuw and her work at https://samiseriesadventures.com/Â
Â
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About" Secrets in the Islands" and the inspiration behind the story.
Cultural Heritage and Environmental issues in a children's adventure
Digital relationships
Writing a successful children's adventure balancing entertainment with learning
What's next in the Sami Series?
Â
SECRETS IN THE ISLANDS
Having world famous archaeologists for parents isn't easy. Sure, the stories about their discoveries used to be exciting, but recently twelve-year-old Sami Johnson just feels like she's missing out.That is, until now.After being left behind one too many times, she finally gets to tag along with her parents to their next dig site. Keeping it local and seemingly simple for Sami's first glimpse into the family business, the Johnson's head to Haida Gwaii - a group of islands off the west coast of Canada where an old fishing weir and some ancient spearheads were recently discovered. But things start going downhill as soon as they arrive.After meeting a new friend, Sami realizes that the whole island is awash in secrets. Missing artifacts, late night stakeouts and stalkers in the forest were not what Sami was expecting on this trip and she begins to wonder if this was why her parents had left her at home for so many years. Can Sami find the grit, determination, and most importantly the confidence, to make it through and solve this mystery before it's too late?
Â
CONNECT WITH LAUREN DE LEEUW!
Website: https://samiseriesadventures.com/Â Â Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.lauren.deleeuwInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_sami_adventure/Â
Â

Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Ms. Alberta: Feline Barn Manager by Diana Tuorto
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Diana Tuorto is a Buffalo, NY-based children’s author. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in English Writing and History, Diana is also an active animal rescue volunteer and serves as Vice President of a small non-profit horse rescue. She shares a small farm with her husband, horses, and cats.Â
Diana started writing her first children’s novel at the age of 12. Most of her books are written from a horse’s point of view. Diana has a total of six books: three middle grade novels, two picture books and one easy reader, all featuring a horse or cat as a main character.
Â
Learn more about Diana Tuorto and her work at https://horsebooksforkids.com/.
Â
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION:
About "Ms. Alberta: Feline Barn Manager" and the inspiration behind the story.
Focus on themes of trust, overcoming obstacles and fear through the eyes of a feral cat.
Writing to engage children while incorporating life lessonsÂ
Working with illustrator Ava Bucci to bring Ms. Alberta to life
Understanding human-animal relationships
What's next for Diana Tuorto
and much more!
Â
MS. ALBERTA: FELINE BARN MANAGER
MS. ALBERTA: FELINE BARN MANAGER is based on the true story of a feral barn cat who is torn between the outdoor world she knows and desire to live with her special human “Mama.” When Ms. Alberta finds the courage to take a step towards house cat life, something gets in her way: Mama’s dog. Can a barn cat and a barking dog set aside their differences and become friends?
Diana Tuorto has been writing fiction and poetry since the age of ten. Ms. Alberta: Feline Barn Manager is her sixth children’s book and second picture book. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in English Writing and History, Ms. Tuorto is a Western New York-based Marketing/Communications director and active horse rescue volunteer.
Â
CONNECT WITH DIANA TUORTO!
My website is https://horsebooksforkids.com/.You can find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dtuorto/ and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lunar_aradia
Â

Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
"Bones in the Alley" by Viterose Van Huis
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Viterose Elaine Van Huis is a recent widow, who lives between Barbados, her birth country, and the United States. She lives with a little dog named Charlie. She spends her time reading, writing, and gardening. This is her third book. Most recently she published Living Intentionally, in 2021 She published Incredible Mr. Charlie. Bones in the Alley: A journey to self-awareness that began on the island of Barbados was first published in
Learn more about Viterose Van Huis and her work at: Viterosevanhuis.wixsite,com/elaine
Â
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About "Bones in the Alley" and the inspiration behind the book
How past experiences shaped the person she is today
Learning about herself and using her story to help others
Self discovery as the key to happiness
Other writing projects by Viterose Van Huis
What's next for Viterose Van Huis?
BONES IN THE ALLEY
In this book, Viterose Van Huis shares her journey to self-awareness. She makes it clear that self-discovery is essential in the pursuit of happiness and meaning. The story portrays her strong, self-determined, unrelenting personality. The difficulties of her childhood in Barbados, the heroic years in America, her limited education and her uncertain circumstances, rather than hinder her, propelled her to a greater understanding. This is an inspiring account of one woman's spiritual growth. The book assures you that all the answers to life's challenges are within you.

Monday Jan 22, 2024
"My Journal" by Robert O'Toole
Monday Jan 22, 2024
Monday Jan 22, 2024
Robert L. O'Toole is an international figure skating coach with over 47 years of experience coaching athletes from the grassroots to the Olympic level. His positive and motivational approach to coaching is his trademark, along with his passion and love of sport. He has inspired thousands of athletes to achieve excellence in sport and beyond. My Journal is his debut entry into the literary world.
Learn more about Robert O'Toole and his work at:
www.robertotooleauthor.comwww.facebook.com/robertotooleauthorwww.instagram.com/robertotooleauthor
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION:
About "My Journal" and the inspiration behind writing the book
The transformative power of journaling
Individual pacing and self-acceptance
Journaling as a daily routine
Measuring your progress
What's next for Robert O'Toole?
Â
My Journal: Motivation, Inspiration, Love, Kindness
Robert O’TooleTellwell Talent (2023)ISBN: 978-1779411716
A daily journal with prompts for setting goals, self-reflection, and personal growth, emphasizing individual pacing and diverse expression methods.

Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
”Fiercely ME” by Stephanie Rowe
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
A JOURNEY OF LIFE, LOVE, AND LIMITLESS ADVENTURE with STEPHANIE ROWE
Embark on a journey into the vibrant tapestry of my life, where each moment is an adventure waiting to unfold. I thrive on the richness of experiences, living life to its fullest.
My passion for connection is a cornerstone of my existence. Together with my husband, Jason, we merge the joys of bringing people together and the artistry of cooking. Our culinary escapades span the globe, from the Caribbean to the Philippines and the Mediterranean, weaving nights filled with love, laughter, and profound connections with our nearest and dearest.
Fresh from a six-month odyssey across Europe and South America (November 2023), my husband, Jason, and I have returned with a profound understanding of ourselves. Each country became a classroom, and we eagerly absorbed the diverse lessons embedded in their cultures. The journey was more than a physical exploration; it was a deep dive into self-discovery, a transformative experience that enriched our lives in ways we never imagined. The liberty to experience life fully and connect with our surroundings is a privilege we don't take lightly. Natural hot springs became our sanctuaries, leading us to serene and beautiful corners of the world.
The Arts hold a special place in my heart, epitomized during the unforgettable Mad Cool Festival in Spain. Jason and I indulged in the music of our youth, fulfilling my lifelong dream of seeing Red Hot Chili Peppers live. Despite the inevitable body aches after the first day, we cheekily dove back into the revelry with youthful zeal, dancing to the pulsating beats of the iconic performances of Offspring, Robbie Williams, Sam Smith, Lizzo, The Prodigy and so many more for three glorious days. Passionate advocates for live music and local artists, we immersed ourselves in the melodies of each city we visited, tuning into local radio stations to decipher the vibrant pulse of the community.
From the tender age of youth, poetry has been my chosen form of expression. Whether captivating audiences at events and spoken word nights, including Queensland Poetry, or delivering speeches infused with warmth and wisdom, my words resonate on both professional and personal fronts. The ability to intrigue and captivate is an art I've honed.
Dedication has forged my success. As I create the extraordinary life and business of my dreams, my love for humanity takes center stage in everything. Join me on this transformative journey, where every word, every adventure, is a testament to the power of living authentically and with purpose.
Â
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About Fiercely Me and the inspiration behind the memoir.
Self-appreciation and following one's dreams
Sharing personal struggles with vulnerability
Goals and outlook on life
Coaching
What's next for Stephanie
SO MUCH MORE!
Â
CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE ROWE
Website: mrsrowe.orgEmail:Â mrsroweauthor@gmail.comFacebook: Mrs Rowe AuthorInsta:Â Mrs Rowe AuthorTikTok: Stephanie Rowe
Â
GET THE BOOK!
Â







