Inside Scoop Live!

Mark Shaiken lives with his wife Loren and their dog Emily in Denver Colorado. He schooled at Haverford College and Washburn University, and practiced commercial bankruptcy law for almost 4 decades before moving on to writing, board service, and his photography and music.
He is the author of 4 novels in his 3J Legal Thrillers series, including Fresh Start, Automatic Stay, Unfair Discrimination, and Cram Down, the book we are going to visit with Mark about today. He also has a non-fiction title available called: And Just Like That: Essays on a Life Before During and After the Law
You can learn more about Mark Shaiken and his work at markshaikenauthor.com
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About Cram Down and the inspiraton behind the story
Cram Down in the legal world
Debuted on Amazon's 100 best seller list for financial thrillers in its first week!
Character Discussion - AMAZING characters!
Rich Kansas City history: incorporating historical elements into a fictional story
Elements of ethical complexities, history, bankruptcy, jazz and music
Creating the audiobook
What's next for Mark Shaiken?
CRAM DOWN
Kansas City attorney Josephina Jillian Jones, 3J to her friends, has dealt with people perpetrating online disinformation, white supremacists, and clients hiding assets, so when a couple who heads up a company that builds inner city housing for marginalized communities comes to her for legal help because their longtime banking partner has shut off their funding, the case appears at first blush to be tame by comparison. But when the bank president disappears and his greed-driven brother seems the likely culprit, things heat up. And when it appears the Kansas City mob is involved, the race is on to save both the company and the bank president. Lives are at stake and the clock is ticking. 3J has a reputation for being fierce and determined, but she’s going to need both help and a little luck to save the day this time.
 
CONNECT WITH MARK SHAIKEN!
Website: htttp://markshaikenauthor.com 
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/mark-shaiken-author
YouTube: https://youtu.be/Dp4M6P7Kvvg?si=lzDB3BXd1Q1P5tmy 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Mark-Shaiken-Author/100070831924501/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkShaiken    

Dan McMillan is a therapist and psychologist in Alberta, Canada, and the father of two young children. This story was originally created to help highlight a common, hurtful pattern in couples’ relationships. One day he told the story to his daughters and found they really enjoyed it as well. So, a kid-friendly version was born in hopes of both entertaining children, and sharing important information for parents to be aware of.
Websites: https://danmcmillanbooks.com/ https://assuredpsychology.com/
Topics of Conversation:
About Badger and Turtle Face the Storm and the inspiration behind the story
Storytelling with Metaphors
Using a storm as the central challenge
Emotional Behaviors - Badger or Turtle - which one are you?
Writing an engaging book for kids that speaks to adults
What's next for Daniel McMillan?
Badger and Turtle Face the Storm
Written by a therapist, Badger and Turtle Face the Storm follows a pair of friends who learn to work together under stress. This book is meant for not only children to enjoy, but as a tool for families to better understand a common, hurtful pattern that can occur, particularly between parents.
 
CONNECT WITH DANIEL MCMILLAN!
Websites: https://danmcmillanbooks.com/ https://assuredpsychology.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/assuredpsychology/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assuredpsychLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/assured-psychology/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/assuredpsychology/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@assuredpsychology
 

Homa Pourasgari is an activist, entrepreneur, and author.  Her writings dive deep into themes of love, integrity, compassion, and justice. Fluent in multiple languages, Homa has journeyed across the world, immersing herself in diverse cultures and embracing a variety of viewpoints. While she sometimes finds herself lost in the depths of her writing room, perfecting every scene, Homa equally cherishes moments spent with friends and family, laughing and sharing stories.
You can learn more about Homa Pourasgari and Lemon Curd at https://lemoncurdbook.com.
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION: 
About Lemon Curd and the inspiration behind the story
Releasing a new edition
The marketing world as a backdrop for the story
Relationships!
Advice for new and up and coming authors
What's next for Homa Pourasgari?
 
LEMON CURD
After years of working long hours in the hopes of becoming a partner at a leading marketing firm, the last thing Anna Lisa Gibson expects is to be forced to share her important client with a Brit from their London office. She finds him rude, arrogant and disagreeable.
With high profile clients to his credit, Neil Scott Whitaker never had any difficulties getting along with women until he meets Anna Lisa. He finds her uptight, unpleasant, and impossible to work with. But as the two get to know each other, they start to become friends. Except that Neil has a lot more than friendship in mind. Although he and Anna Lisa had a bad start, he can't control his attraction toward her, and he wonders what it would feel like to spend one night with his officemate.
 
CONNECT WITH HOMA POURASGARI
Book Website: https://www.lemoncurdbook.com/Website:  https://www.homapourasgari.com/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/HomaPourasgariFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088472221231

Jeffrey Marshall is a writer, novelist and poet from Scottsdale, AZ. He's the author of five books, including the novels Squeeze Plays, Little Miss Sure Shot and Undetected; Undetected and Squeeze Plays were named ShelfUnbound Notable 100 Indie books in 2020 and 2022, respectively, and Squeeze Plays also was named a Book Excellence Award winner in 2023.
A retired journalist and the former editor of two national business magazines, Marshall has freelanced to more than 30 publications as varied as The New York Times, High Country News and Tail Fly-Fishing Magazine, and his short fiction has appeared in online magazines like Bright Flash Literary Review, Ariel Chart and Vocal.com, among others. A short story he wrote took first place in the 2022 Arizona Authors competition.
You can learn more about Jeffrey Marshall and his work at https://jmarshbks.com
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About Squeeze Plays and the inspiration behind the story
Setting this psychological thriller in the financial hubs of New York and London
The Characters! A bank CEO, a New York tabloic publisher and a Russian oligarch - developing their dynamics and conflicting interests
The financial reporter who plays a pivotal role in uncovering the deeper story
Strong principled female characters
Serious insights into wealth and power with some humorous, satirical elements
What's next for Jeffrey Marshall?
 
SQUEEZE PLAYS
A modern tableau about money and power set in New York and London - Two powerful men, a bank chief executive and a New York tabloid publisher, are at odds over a loan that would keep the publisher afloat. Enter a ruthless Russian oligarch with an offer of a financial life raft to the publisher – a gambit uncovered by a dogged financial reporter who senses a big story.In Squeeze Plays, Jeffrey Marshall whisks us into the paneled boardrooms and lavish penthouses of the New York elite and shows us their lifestyle, their desires and their foibles. Using his background as a financial journalist, he carefully details the reporter’s story, which ties the central characters together in what becomes a stunning front-page expose. Along the way, the reader visits New York, London, Nantucket and the English countryside and sees not just financial skullduggery but sexual blackmail, strong and principled female characters, and a brisk and often satirical take on the corrupting influences of wealth and power.
 

Dr. Jaya Viswanathan is a neuroscientist and artist born and raised in India. She earned an engineering degree, a Master's in neuroscience, and a Doctorate in cognitive neuroscience. She then worked as a postdoctoral fellow before joining the Division of Neuroscience at the National Institute on Aging [C]. Her research was focused on understanding how brains interpret the world through vision and audition. She was invited to write a Neuronline article about Baby Senses as an educational resource and nominated for the Science Educator Award by the Society for Neuroscience. She loves art and is a part of Tuesday Night Group in DC. Her Neuroscience art has been featured in several art shows and she has been featured in several podcasts.
You can learn more about Dr. Viswanathan and Baby Senses at https://babysensesbook.com/
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION:
About Baby Senses and the inspiration behind the creation of the book
An innovative, accessible approach to presenting a broad spectrum of sensory systems.
How animals sense electric vibes and see light!
Using the Glossary; a friendly learning guide for inquisitive minds of all ages
Introducing the younger generation to neuroscience
SO MUCH MORE!
Baby Senses: A Sensory Neuroscience Primer for All Ages
Animals, from ants to whales, rely on evolved sensory systems to navigate their environments. "Baby Senses" delves into this rich tapestry, exploring beyond the familiar five senses to include incredible abilities like detecting electric fields. Paired with detailed neuroscience artwork, this book offers a vivid glimpse into a usually microscopic realm, captivating both children and adults.
 

Jason Jackson is the author of "My Life Inspiring Journal," His book portrays his personal struggle to transcend his disabilities and find solace in the shared human experience of adversity.
Highlighting the prevalence of autism (affecting 1 in 44 children) and bipolar disorder (4.4% of the population), Jason navigates the complexities of these conditions. Inspired by conversations with his late father, he intertwines both disabilities into a heartfelt narrative that captures his journey into adulthood.
Jason is currently working on his second book, which will explore the inner thoughts of individuals
Visit Jason’s website, https://perseveracycle.com/ to learn more about him and his work.
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION:
Jason's writing journey.
About My Life Inspiring Journal.
Inspiration for writing the book and how it all came together.
Emphasis on abilities over limitations.
Was dad planting the seed for a future author?
What's next for Jason?
MY LIFE INSPIRING JOURNAL
Travel through this author's journey with feelings, thoughts, and desires as a Autistic man living with Bipolar. Learn how he interacts with characters in everyday life. This book is a collage of episodes modeled, and based on the author's true experiences.
Jason Jackson has managed in the few pages of this "journal" to convey both the challenges and insights of someone with autism. The need for validation, love and acceptance are the hidden drivers that direct his perceptions of the world. Told in a way that mirrors the discontinuities of his own mind and his thinking process, Jason is able to inform the readers that stories of life abound and intersect as much as they interact. There is no need to "pity" the person with autism; more important is the ability to see it as a perceptual way of dealing with daily life. In this journal, Jason has accomplished this. --Harriette H, friend and former basketball coach/Sunday School teacher

Frederick Douglass Reynolds is a retired L.A. County Sheriff’s Homicide Sergeant. He was born in Rocky Mount, Virginia, and grew up in Detroit, Michigan where he became a petty criminal and was involved in gangs. He joined the US Marine Corps in 1979 to escape the life of crime that he seemed destined for. After a brief stint in Okinawa, Japan, he finished out his military career in Southern California and ultimately became a police officer with the Compton Police Department. He worked there from 1985 until 2000 and then transferred to the Sheriff’s Department where he worked an additional seventeen years, retiring in 2017 with over seventy-five commendations including two California Officer of the Year awards, one in 1994 and the other in 1998. He lives in Southern California with his wife, Carolyn, and their daughter Lauren and young son, Desmond.  They have six other adult children and nine grandchildren.   
Learn more about Frederick Douglass Reynolds at: https://frederickdreynolds.com/ 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About Saint Bloodbath and the Motivation for Telling this Story
Giving voice to the victims
Telling the story from every perspective
Writing True Crime
What's next for Frederick Douglass Reynolds?
 
SAINT BLOODBATH
Detectives McGuire and Cortes take on a gruesome homicide case in Long Beach, California, and navigate the complex role of being the murder police in an area marked by homelessness, drug abuse, and gang violence. With little but their combined decades of detective experience to go off of, they investigate personal and gang-related motives in an attempt to identify and arrest their suspect. When a severed hand is found in the desert nearly 100 miles away, their years-long investigation crosses jurisdictions, and they must connect the dots before the bloodbath continues. Saint Bloodbath explores the true story of multiple heinous crimes, but perhaps more importantly, highlights the lives and experiences of the victims, their peers, and the investigators who sought to bring a murderer to justice.

Nancy Major is an award-winning nonprofit and business executive with more than thirty years of professional experience. She’s also a professional speaker and certified Christian trauma coach. Her primary area of focus is helping women overcome sexual shame and trauma.
Recently she added, ‘bestselling author’ to her bio, with her newly released memoir entitled, “A Wretch Like Me: A Modern-Day Mary Magdalene Saved by Grace. “It offers a glimpse into her lived experience as a former prostitute, “outed” by a client bent on revenge. Her courageous story tackles themes of childhood sexual abuse, shame, public humiliation, redemption, and the immeasurable gift of grace.
Nancy often jokingly refers to her colorful life as one that might lead others to think she was either in the witness protection program or running from the law. She has been known by many last names and has moved so many times that the US post office has “unfriended” her!
Today, Nancy is a wife of eleven years, a mother, stepmom, mother-in-law, and grandmother to six beloved and cherished cutie-pies. She and her husband, Jesse, live in southeastern Wisconsin with their two silly pooches, Lulu Bell and Jilly Bean. 
Learn more about Nancy Major at https://nancymajor.net/ 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION:
About "A Wretch Like Me" and the inspiration behind writing the story.
Shared experiences with Mary Magdalene
Telling difficult stories and bringing light to the dark
Navigating life's challenges through faith
Miracles happen everyday
Christian trauma coaching 
What's next for Nancy Major?
A WRETCH LIKE ME: A MODERN DAY MARY MAGDALENE SAVED BY GRACE
I couldn’t imagine in a million years that I would ever have the courage to face telling the world about this one ugly, vile secret I figured I’d die with. The truth of who and what I had been, how it happened, and the grace that saved me on the day my life imploded.An anonymous packet was sent to business leaders throughout my community and surrounding thirteen-county area. As a business owner, I had made it a point to become well-known. When the president of one of the local chambers of commerce called me and I saw the packet for the first time, I literally couldn’t breathe.I was shell-shocked and utterly shattered. I wanted to die. No words could explain away or erase what had been written. I couldn’t see any possible way to live with the guilt and shame of being “outed” as a prostitute.If you’ve ever been tormented in a silent prison of shame over something you’ve done, haunted by a secret from your past, thought you were too broken, too bad, or too disgusting to be forgiven—you’re not alone.You haven’t been forgotten or abandoned. You’re loved more than you could ever imagine, and above all, you’re NEVER too far gone for grace..How would I know? Because grace saved a wretch like me.
 
CONNECT WITH NANCY MAJOR AT https://nancymajor.net/