Inside Scoop Live!

Charlene Wheeless is the founder of her namesake firm Charlene Wheeless LLC.  She is a renowned business and communications professional, author, speaker, and executive and life empowerment advisor. Additionally, she is the senior advisor for equity and justice at APCO Worldwide, a global advocacy and communications consultancy.
Wheeless is the chairman of the board of trustees for the Page Society and the HCA Virginia Reston Hospital and serves on other industry and community boards. She has received numerous awards for communications and leadership excellence throughout her career, including being named to the PR Week Global Power Book for most influential professionals in Public Relations and The Network Journal’s Most Influential Black Women in Business. Many business, industry, and lifestyle publications have featured Wheeless for her expertise and as a contributing writer.
Before launching her consultancy and following a four-year health crisis, Wheeless retired from corporate America as the principal vice president of global corporate affairs for Bechtel Corporation, a $40B global firm. In her words, “Cancer changed me; so I changed my world.”
To learn more about Charlene and her work, visit her website at CharleneWheeless.Biz
 
Topics of Conversation
Three books in one: part memoir, a cautionary tale, and part of how to create the life you want. Reclaiming Your Career and Your Life with Purpose, Passion, and Unapologetic Authenticity. 
Returning to the corporate world after defeating Stage 2 breast cancer
Pivoting to create her new life by helping others 
Feedback from business executives and those on the cancer recovery journey
How to overcome obstacles to live your best life
You Are Enough! Reclaiming Your Career and Your Life with Purpose, Passion, and Unapologetic Authenticity
SYNOPSIS: YOU ARE ENOUGH! draws from Wheeless’s experiences climbing the corporate ladder and battling breast cancer to illustrate life lessons for others. Personal recollections are used to illustrate that Black women not only have to contend with a glass ceiling, but also a concrete wall that makes it impossible to even see what lies on the other side, much less determine how to get there. While acknowledging that there's no single path around that wall, Wheeless shares advice on how she navigated the route herself. For Wheeless, this means busting up stereotypes, breaking down barriers, and flat-out refusing to be ignored, pigeonholed, or forgotten.While YOU ARE ENOUGH! chronicles Charlene’s fearless quest to be the best possible version of herself in every aspect of her life, her story is everyone's story regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender. With wit, raw honesty, blazing courage, and solution-driven sensibility, Charlene reminds us that we are enough!
 
CONNECT WITH CHARLENE WHEELESS!
FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedIn
Read our review of You Are Enough!

As an attorney and civil justice advocate, author Mark M. Bello draws upon over 40 years of courtroom experience in his Zachary Blake Legal Thriller Series.
A Michigan native, Mark received his B.A. in English Literature from Oakland University and his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. After working extremely high-profile legal cases, Mark wanted to give the public a front-row glimpse of what victims face when standing up for justice.
Combining his legal experience and passion for justice with a creative writing style, Mark not only brings high-quality legal services to his clients but captivating novels to his readers.
When Mark’s not writing legal and political novels, he writes and posts about fairness and justice in the civil justice system on his website, Legal Examiner and NotFakeNews. In his spare time, Mark enjoys traveling and spending time with his family. Mark and his wife, Tobye, have four children and 8 grandchildren.
To learn more about Mark Bello and his books visit his website at markmbello.com
Topics of Conversation
Writing about the immigration issue
Undocumented versus documented - what's the difference
Justice Counts - Mark's new podcast
Branching out - Cookbooks and Children's Books
Betrayal at the Border
AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER DISCOUNT THROUGH OCTOBER 11, 2021
In Betrayal at the Border, attorney Zachary Blake returns to tackle two cases that strike at the heart of our nation's contentious immigration debate.
Two unique immigrant families, two uniquely dangerous consequences of America’s dysfunctional immigration system. Enter Zachary Blake, superstar lawyer.But, for the first time in a long time, Blake is out of his element—immigration law calls for the expertise of his specialist/partner, Marshall Mann. Together, two extraordinary lawyers take on a terrorist network and a broken immigration system. And master investigator Micah Love returns, racing against the clock to prevent tragic circumstances. In our politically charged, anti-immigrant international climate, will a Hail Mary be their only move?Award-winning legal thriller author, Mark M. Bello, pits our nation's broken immigration system against important human and social justice rights issues, spinning a tale that shines a bright light on the everyday fears of immigrants all over these United States. Can Blake, Mann, and Love prevent a Betrayal at the Border?
CONNECT WITH MARK BELLO!
Website: https://www.markmbello.comFacebook: @markmbellobooksTwitter: @markmbelloInstagram: @markmbellobooks
 Mark’s books can be found on his website, Amazon, Goodreads, and all other online retailers. The books are available for reader, in print, or as audiobooks.
Read Our Review of Betrayal at the Border

Stuart Z. Goldstein was one of the longest serving PR Spokespersons on Wall Street.  As Managing Director of Corporate Communications & Public Affairs for the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) in New York, the largest trade clearing house ($5 trillion daily) and central securities depository in the world.  
 “Goldstein surely was the highest profile corporate communications executive in the securities services industry,” according to Global Custodian magazine.  “In a position where few survive more than 5 years and one CEO, Goldstein managed four times the average tenure, and served three successive CEOs.”
Prior to this, he was a spokesperson for American Express and led National Public Affairs at Citicorp. Earlier he served as a State Ombudsman in New Jersey and as Legislative Affairs director for the NJ Public Advocate. 
Mr. Goldstein has co-authored 2 books in plain English explaining the inner workings of U.S. Capital Markets.  He has published numerous articles in PR trade magazines and was a contributing author to Public Affairs in an Era of Change.  His by-lined articles on public policy issues have appeared in USA Today, the Washington Times, the Star Ledger, Trenton Times, Global Financial Markets magazine and many trade journals. 
He graduated from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) with a B.A. in English and earned his M.A. in American Government from Rutgers University.   During college, he wrote for the Trenton Times newspaper and helped lead the effort in NJ to lower the voting age to 18 and ratify the 26th Amendment. 
He lectures on crisis communications and media relations.  He has also served on the graduate school advisory board in Corporate Communications at Fairleigh Dickinson University and was a founding member of the Corporate Communications Institute at Baruch College. 
Connect with Stuart Z. Goldstein and learn more about him and his works on Facebook and LinkedIn.
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
Moe Fields and Growing Up During the Depression
Returning From War - Starting a New Business and a Family
Overcoming Adversity
The Role of a Father
A Story for Future Generations
 
Moe Fields: The Special Bond Between Fathers and Sons 
Moe Fields (aka Murray Goldman), is a gripping narrative about a father's fighting spirit and determination to save his family and inspire his sons to succeed.
Goldstein applies his gift of storytelling to bring us the story of Moe Fields, growing up during the Great Depression - from his teens as a Golden Gloves boxer, to his career as a Bootleg fighter in Brooklyn for money, to being a WWII sailor whose most prideful moment was singled out by FDR, to overcoming prejudice and building one of the large plumbing businesses in New Jersey.
When a health crisis hits Moe, and later, a drunk driver causes a horrific car accident, crippling his wife, they are both left to deal with a lifetime of disabilities. But Moe digs deep to turn tragedy into triumph.
We all have our Moe Fields. This treasure of a book is a poignant and thought-provoking memoir that captures the enduring power of role models in our lives.
Goldstein has written a life-affirming story that's hard to put down-and hard not to talk about.
At a time when we need heroes, this book celebrates the strength of family, faith-and the enduring legacy we leave our children.
 
CONNECT WITH STUART Z. GOLDSTEIN!
Facebook
LinkedIn
Read the Reader Views 5-Star Book Review!

Bineta Ngom was born in Senegal, West Africa, in 1964. She grew up without her father, who died when she was a little over four years old, and was raised by her mother, who taught her how to appreciate life and serve people in need, even when the family was enduring hardship.
Bineta came to America in 1994 to pursuit her dream, to give her children the opportunity she never had as a child, and to empower the global community by sharing her stories and by working with parents to raise philanthropic children, which she believes is part of the solution for the problems we have in our school environments. Bineta thinks children value what their parents’ value. She never stops learning and always strive to be the best role model for her children.
She decided to write her book “Becoming an Angel of Change” to share her stories with the world to inspire parents, immigrants and women to make positive change within themselves, their homes, and their workplaces, as well as their communities. Bineta currently lives in Los Angeles with her four children.
For more information about Bineta Gom visit her website at binetangom.com
 
Topics of Conversation
 
-What is an Angel of Change?
-Early Experiences in Senegal, West Africa
-Immigrating to the U.S.
-Passion for Philanthropy
-The Family Bridge Foundation
-What's next for Bineta?
 
Becoming an Angel of Change
Part memoir, part inspiration and self-help, Becoming an Angel of Change is a collection of stories detailing the author’s journey of exploring her life’s purpose: helping others in need. From her beginnings as an eight-year-old philanthropist in Senegal, to her adult life establishing outreach programs in the United States, through Bineta’s journey readers will be inspired to discover their own strengths, uniqueness, and purpose.
Connect with Bineta Ngom
WebsiteInstagramLinkedInTwitter
 

Paulette Boudrot earned a BS in Education from Bridgewater State University, an MA in French Language and Literature from Middlebury College in Vermont, and a diploma in Twentieth-Century French Literature from the Sorbonne, University of Paris as a Fulbright Scholar. Paulette taught French and ESL in elementary schools, colleges, and universities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. During the 1980s, she transitioned from education to administration at the French Cultural Services at the French Consulate in Boston. In 1995, she founded PLJ Administrative & Business Solutions, outsourcing administration and project management for small to medium sized companies. The French government honored her as a Chevalier in the Order of Academic Palms in 2010. Paulette is an active member of Rotary International, the Boston/Strasbourg Sister City Association, the Sandwich Arts Alliance and the Société Francophone de Cape Cod. She currently resides on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Boston, My Blissful Winter is her debut literary translation.
For more information about Paulette Boudrot, visit her website at http://www.pauletteboudrot.com.
 
Topics of Conversation
Translating a Book
Working with the Author during the translation
Literal vs. Literary Translation
The publishing journey
What's next for Paulette Boudrot?
Read the Reader Views Review of Boston My Blissful Winter
 
A Note from the Author
"Dear friends,
The American-English translation of my book "Boston, un hiver si court" has just been released as "Boston My Blissful Winter, Memories of the 1980s", by PRA Publishing. We owe it to Paulette Boudrot, who did a remarkable job giving us an attentive, precise, elegant and faithful version. I thank her very sincerely. I would also like to thank the publisher, Lucinda Clark and editor, Ellen Albanese, who, despite the health crisis we are all experiencing, have managed to meet publication deadlines.
Over time, the 1980s emerged as happy and fruitful years. Peace and prosperity prevailed in Boston. The large number of students attending its universities brought enthusiasm and joy to this human-scaled city where it was a pleasure to live.
The centennial of the Statue of Liberty, the bicentennial of the Revolution of 1789, and the visit of the French President gave me many opportunities to celebrate the French and Franco-American friendship. These occasions also allowed me to discover the strength of the Bostonians, attached to their traditions, but tolerant, reasonable, and daring, always ready to protect Freedom and especially their own freedom. I have had the pleasure of meeting exceptional people, some noted in my book and to whom it is dedicated. "
Alain BriottetParisOctober 2020

Jennifer Yeates Camara is a poet living in Vancouver, Canada. She is the youngest of 13 children, born to an extremely poor family in Ontario, Canada.  She grew up in an old house that someone had paid her father to haul away, albeit without plumbing as the water was never hooked up! Jennifer's early life in the 70s included an outhouse, a well, and a wood-burning fireplace.
Jennifer's parents were both avid readers and often recited poems by memory. Reading was ingrained in her siblings, too, and Jennifer learned quickly.
At age 9, Jennifer's family still at home moved to the BC coast. Jennifer was encouraged to join a late French immersion program starting from grade 6. It was around that time that Jennifer also started writing her own poetry.
Although Jennifer continued excelling academically, the family's economic situation was still dire, and she turned to poetry to express herself. Once Jennifer started working, she eagerly frequented local bookstores, where the owners introduced her to poetry from many cultures, including Persia, China, Japan and India.
For more information about Jennifer, please visit yeatescamara.com.   
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About Reduction Fired and her inspiration behind the collection
Architectural and West Coast Contemporary influences
Using Imagery from Nature
How to enjoy Poetry for those hesitant to jump in
Poetry Readings:LeavingWarmth
What's next for Jennifer Yeates Camara?
 
REDUCTION FIRED
Concise, quiet, and intense poems voiced over vibrant scenes of nature - reflections to ripple through the mind.
 
CONNECT WITH JENNIFER YEATES CAMARA
 
WebsiteFacebook
Instagram
Read the Reader Views review of Reduction Fired

Marjorie Anderson is a native Virgin islander, retired bank executive, co-funder and former executive director of the GREATER Philadelphia Minority Business Strategic Alliance. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Morgan State University, a Master of Science in Management from La Salle University, and is a graduate of the Wharton’s School Management Program of the University of Pennsylvania. Her book “The Key” is a Reader Views Literary Awards Winner. Marjorie currently lives in Liberty Hill, Texas.
 
Topics of Conversation:
Inspiration behind writing a finance book for teens and the need for a Spanish translation
Why teens and young adults get into trouble financially
Including Charity in your budget
Using a simple system for saving and spending
 
La Clave
La Clave shares the author’s financial knowledge and experience to help teens get a head start in life. The book presents readers with basic financial knowledge and life changing know-how tips on how to manage money to make the most of their income to build a successful future. But Anderson does not stop there, she also teaches young people to invest in their communities by buying local products and donating to help others. La Clave is the Spanish translation of Marjorie L. Anderson’s Reader Views Award winner “The Key.”
 
Connect with Marjorie Anderson
Website: www.challenge4teens.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekeychallenge/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjorie-anderson-6372b788/

Erik Steidl was born and raised in Medina, Ohio as the third of six children.  He wrote his first book, titled A City Slicker in Texas, for a Power of the Pen competition in fourth grade and never looked back.  He has always found joy in writing, both creatively and academically.  He attended Liberty University where he crammed a four year degree into six years, graduating in 2012 with a B.S. in Teaching English as a Second Language with minors in Spanish and Youth Ministry. 
Erik is married to his high school sweetheart, Shannon.  They live together in Medina, Ohio with their four children and yellow lab.  They are an active family and enjoy hiking, soccer, basketball, biking, and almost any other outdoor activity.  Erik is proud to be able to state that, like him, his children are all avid Star Wars fans.
For more information about Erik and his works visit his website at: https://steidlstories.com/
 
Topics of Conversation
Motivation behind writing the story
Filling the Middle Grade Christian void in literature
Writing for a young crowd from a teen perspective
Reading preferences and authors of influence
What’s next?
 
Ayal the Arrow Boy
Ayal the Arrow Boy tells the story of David and Jonathan from a never-before-seen perspective; that of Ayal, a servant in King Saul's palace.
Ayal finally has his life going in the right direction. After growing up an orphan on the streets of Jerusalem, he finally has a home in the palace and a good job as a runner for Prince Jonathan. Everything changes when he overhears two men planning to kill David, a commander in King Saul's army and Jonathan's best friend. Now the race is on to thwart the scheme, save David, and return peace to Israel. Will he be in time?
 
CONNECT WITH ERIK STEIDL!
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Del Bates is an author, speaker, and an enthusiastic encouragement to many. She has been on leadership with Aglow International for numerous years. Her hope is to see the lost saved and healed through those meetings. She has self-published two books and has numerous stories in various publications. Crosslink publishers released her latest book on Spiritual Warfare, “Walking In A Minefield” in June 2021.
Del and her husband have the joy of being snowbirds between Florida and Michigan. Michigan is her heart-felt home where she spends quality time with her three-grown children, their families and finds plenty of time to spoil her five grandkids.
Her heart’s desire is to further the Kingdom of God through her Pen-4-the Lord and her gift of prophecy where she loves to equip others through words of wisdom from above.
You can learn more about Del Bates and her work at www.Delbates.com.
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
The inspiration behind Walking in a Minefield
What is spiritual warfare?
14 areas and action needed to fight the spiritual warfare we face daily
How to recognize the bombs before they go off
 
WALKING IN A MINEFIELD
Daily the war rages on.
We are in a battle like never before. But the most significant battle you face is for your soul.Within the pages of WALKING IN A MINEFIELD, learn to identify the bombs raging around you and how to disarm them before they explode.
• Discover Satan's tactics.• Learn how to pray amid each battle.• Know how to use your God-given weapons.• Understand the General of Intercession― the Holy Spirit• Claim your authority.
In this non-fiction scripture-based book along with true-to-life stories, you will see spiritual warfare in action resulting in battles won in the Spiritual realm.
 
CONNECT WITH DEL BATES!
WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram
Read the Reader Views Review of Walking in a Minefield

Lee Barckmann grew up in Barnegat NJ, and had a Huck Finn childhood, surrounded by woods, streams, and meadows. In the 1950s, 1200 people lived there. 
Later on, he studied Economics and History at the University of Kansas,  moved to Eugene, Oregon, and met his wife Mary. He did various jobs for a time, then the two of them packed it up and went to China where Lee taught English. After two-and-a-half years, they returned to the US, settled down and had a family and Lee spent the next 30 years in a career in the IT field, eventually retiring from IBM. During that time, he wrote intermittently, mostly on his first novel "Farewell the Dragon". 
Lee and his wife currently live outside of Portland Oregon where they enjoy backpacking, biking, and playing with their granddaughter.
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About the Trilogy
Writing ALT-History
One of the most surprising things he learned writing his trilogy
Reading and Writing
What's Next?
 
 
THE SWIFTPAD TRILOGY
There’s a lot of punch packed into this trilogy which is at it’s core an alt history of the past decade.  There’s murder and mystery, the boom of social media, politics and an unstable leader. Our Reader Views reviewer said, “The satire that is offered in this tale is brutally honest, hysterical, and unforgettable. But, remember, this is not a dystopian world; this is a very real, bare bones, trash-talking world that all of us have lived through – and are still living through to this day. As a reader who loves reality as much as the gritty suspense that a book like this provides, there is also that underlying current that shows how much we’ve seen and survived over the past decades, and how much we’re most likely going to see before we say adieu to this life."
 
CONNECT WITH LEE BARCKMANN!
Visit the Author's Website
Read the Reader Views Reviews of the SwiftPad Trilogy:
Digging Up New Business: The SwiftPad Takeover
Digging the Golden Fungus: The SwiftPad Insurgency
Digging Around the Pandemic: The SwiftPad Extinction
 

Geoffrey Morris is a 10 time award-winning author. He has garnered much acclaim for his debut novel, Tomorrow’s End. He not only won a prestigious Dragonfly book award, but a Feathered quill and received multiple 5 star reviews from many websites. He was a philosopher and a graduate from seminary studies before taking writing courses in college.
 
Topics of Conversation
Philosophical Fiction
A Sixteen-Year-Old Savior
How Tomorrow's End evolved over 20 years
Thoughts on reading and horror movies!
The story behind the cover art.
What's next?
 
Tomorrow's End
Do you have free will?
He never asked to be a hero, but the universe didn't give him a choice.
Kevin Knight never wanted to be the one to save the galaxy. But when tragedy upends his life and demonic forces steal his soul, the fate of time and space are sealed. Until a scaly, trench-coat-clad alien appears and gives him a glimpse into the true nature of all things.
Astounded, Kevin learns the world he knows is merely an illusion created by alien beings who control humanity's every move. With an invasion imminent, he must defeat the blackness and perfect his powers before the bloody battle begins.
Which prophecy will Kevin fulfill... the one of darkness or the one of light?
 
CONNECT WITH G.R. MORRIS!
WEBSITE: https://grmorrisbooks.com/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/grmorrisbooks/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Tomorrows-END-107630997775307/
Read our Review of Tomorrow’s End

Kevin Kunkel believes people are fundamentally good and altruistic. He writes books to reflect that belief. Kevin fully intends to fix the screen door this spring or by fall at the latest.  Kevin writes bios in the 3rd person because it comes off as more professional and writing in the 5th person gets confusing. Kevin lives in Minnesota with his wife and 2 sons. He complains that Hollywood movies don't understand real cold.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
How the world is getting better and  inspiration behind the storyline.
Writing for children
Rhyming and the perfect meter
On being a standup comedian
More children's books coming soon!
 
THE WORLD WE CHOOSE
This book teaches children that the world is mostly improving, and that the way to make sure it continues is to pay attention to the good all around us.
Cable news often reports on the bad things that happen every day, but we can choose a positive story and make it a reality. In this book, the rhyming story and light-filled illustrations focus on positive things like renewable energy, improved literacy, and better technology to stay close to the ones we love.
The World We Choose focuses on the good things about our planet and encourages—and empowers!—kids to make our future even brighter. This uplifting children’s book reminds us all that we can choose a better world.
 
CONNECT WITH KEVIN KUNKEL!
Website
Twitter 
Facebook
Instagram Author Account
Parenting Account
 
READ THE READER VIEWS KIDS REVIEW OF "THE WORLD WE CHOOSE"
 

Author L.A. Thompson knew she wanted to be a writer at a young age. She longed to create worlds and characters that would draw people in and transport them to another time and place, which she achieves in her novel Isle of Dragons.
L.A. loves fantasy and witchcraft and by combining those elements in her stories with different historical periods, she creates a world that's in an industrial era caught between technology and magic, exploring the two's unique interplay.
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
Writing Fantasy
Creating characters from a place of want vs. need
Adding elements of innovation 
Plotting vs. letting the characters take the lead
What's next?
 
ISLE OF DRAGONS
Watch steampunk technology and high fantasy witchcraft clash in this heroine’s fast-paced, epic journey to rescue her father from dragons and reveal the evil secrets of the noble court.On the run from the royal army in a giant mechanical centipede, sixteen-year-old Jade Sol embarks on a dangerous adventure to help her father escape from the Isle of Dragons—a land of untamed magic that some believe only exists in myth.When Jade is cornered by soldiers, a mysterious witch named Miria Atkins rescues her, calling on spirits from a magical realm to channel their mystical energy into light and matter. Jade begs Miria and the sorceress’s mechanist brother, Dan, to join her quest.The siblings resist at first, but their hearts soften when they hear of her father’s fate. Their own parents had attempted an expedition from Vansh to the Isle of Dragons years ago and never returned. Together, the trio of young heroes journey across the feudal countryside trek across the sea to become the first humans to reach the elusive Isle of Dragons.
 
CONNECT WITH L.A. THOMPSON!
Website
Twitter 
Facebook
Instagram
 
READ THE READER VIEWS REVIEW OF ISLE OF DRAGONS!

Holly Brandon breaks free from her analytical side to produce Life in the Chastity Zone. Holding a PhD., M.S., and B.S. in Civil Engineering, Holly is best known for her published works in the Journal of Earthquakes, Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Vibrations, and Earthquake Science.
Unbelievable as it may appear, many of the scenes in Life in the Chastity Zone are based on true-life experiences. Holly invites readers to follow Chastity on her crazy and hilarious adventures in her search for love and happiness. With more to come, Life in the Chastity Zone is the first in an unforgettable, brand-new Chastity Zone series.
 
Topics of Conversation
About Life in the Chastity Zone
Those crazy stories!
Letting the character take the lead
Comparing men to buildings
More to come in the Chastity Series!
 
Life in the Chastity Zone
Thirty-year-old Chastity (Chase) Morgan has always dreamed of her fairytale life—the perfect career, wedding, marriage, family, and on and on. A structural engineer, Chase is brilliant in her line of work, but keeping to her moniker, she is as chaste as they come. Although she doesn’t know the first thing about love and dating, everything changes when she meets Grant Stevens. Wedding bells appear to be right around the corner until he unceremoniously abandons her for another. Derailed but determined, Chase has to find a way to move on. Little does she know that sinister plans are at work to squash her hopes and dreams. While a psychic medium comes to her aide, it’s uncertain whether or not Chastity will follow the clairvoyant’s advice. Only time will tell if she’ll choose between throwing away her virginity and diving full force into the dating world, or clinging to her fairytale life plan.
 
CONNECT WITH HOLLY BRANDON!
Website
Facebook
Instagram
 
Read the Reader Views review of Life in the Chastity Zone

Sandra Brown-Lindstedt was born and raised in Chicago and moved to Portland with her three children when she was thirty-three. After working as a medical secretary for many years, she decided to go back to college and her my degree graduating  from Lewis & Clark College in Portland Oregon with bachelor's degrees in Theater and English.
She’s also worked in New York, on stage productions, art and design. She’s won two first place short story awards and three poetry awards, publishing the work in literary journals. She’s written and directed numerous plays in the US and in Sweden. Sandy resides in Sweden with her husband. Life of a Firefly is her first children's book.
 
Topics of Conversation
About winning several awards for her debut book.
Inspiration behind the story.
Writing for a young audience.
The sequel to Life of a Firefly
Advice for emerging authors
 
Life of a Firefly
This award winning children's book, is both fun and exciting. It's written for kids of all ages to build strong character and help boost their self esteem. Girls as well as boys will see themselves in almost every situation that Sandy finds herself in, when she and her firefly go on amazing adventures that captures the imagination. As she continues on her incredible journey, each person she encounters teaches her another lesson about friendship and family.
This beautiful collection of moral stories will remind children, no matter how bleak a situation may look, a little faith and a firefly, can take them a long way. It also gives children of color a mirror of strong characters that look like them, and others a window to experience the African American community in a whole new way.
 
Connect with Sandra Brown-Lindstedt on Facebook!
Read the review!

Michael Devendorf served as a chief executive for a national organization and crafted corporate communications for the business community and the workforce. He traveled from coast-to-coast meeting fascinating people and visiting remarkable places presenting his message on company culture to audiences that included industry leaders and political figures. Those events have fallen into the crevices of his mind and sometimes crawl their way out to influence his writing today. Captivating storytelling that clings to the soul has always been his passion. After years of letting life and career get in the way, he chose to step away from business and technical writing to devote himself to creativity instead. Michael is inspired by writing about juxtaposing emotions and provoking the reader with stories that defy strict categorization and blend genres. In addition to writing, he is a passionate animal welfare advocate. He and his family split their time between Dallas, Texas, and northern Wisconsin.
 
Topics of Conversation
Inspiration behind the storyline
Writing from the female perspective
Building a story with juxtaposing emotions
A twist you won't see coming
Research and writing
What Michael likes to read
His next book
 
DECIDUOUS
It has been ten months since forest conservationist Sienna lost her daughter in a tragic home accident when she was the only other person around. Kira's death transforms Sienna into an overprotective mother to her son. But then Kai dies under similar circumstances. Desperate to keep from losing her mind, if only to preserve the memories of her children, Sienna climbs into the treehouse where Kai took his last breath. 
While meditating to connect with him, terrifying images of a "mother tree," a nurturing hub tree Sienna studied in an isolated meadow near their lake house, corrupt all memories of her kids. No longer a majestic, colorful sentinel, the tree menaces her with its limbs draped in leaves that morph into skeletal hands. As Sienna's thoughts fester, convincing her that her children's deaths were not simple accidents, those around her try to persuade her she must be guilty of harming Kira and Kai, even if she can't remember. Anxious to unveil the terrible truth hiding in her psyche, Sienna instead finds herself in very physical danger as secrets come to light.
 
Connect with Michael Devendorf!
Website: https://www.michaeldevendorf.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Michael.A.DevendorfTwitter: https://twitter.com/mikedevendorfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikedevendorf/
Read the Reader Views review of Deciduous

Writing started for Gary D. McGugan after a 40-year career in the world of business. He’s worked in supermarkets, sold appliances, distributed motorcycles, launched an automobile dealer network, and provided financing to help businesses grow. Every industry was very different from the other. Each company had a distinctive culture and character, but all were units of large corporations with operations around the globe.
Travel has always been a large component of his business roles and he’s now visited more than 650 towns and cities in more than fifty countries for either business or leisure.
Experts say we should write about things we know best. In Gary’s case, those subjects are business, travel, and people. As an author, his goal is to entertain readers around the world — one at a time.
Topics of Conversation:
Technology, organized crime, and other inspirations for a novel of intrigue
Female protagonists in fiction and writing from the perspective of the opposite gender
Killing off his characters
The influence Gary's worldly travels have on his writing
Exploring options outside fiction and what's next
 
A Web of Deceit
Fate, misfortune and opportunity entangle three rivals in a quick-paced suspense thriller. It's a jet-setting, exhilarating trek across five different continents where the risks can be fatal but the payouts oh-so-rewarding.
Connect with Gary McGugan!
Website:  https://www.garydmcguganbooks.comFacebook:  @gary.d.mcgugan.booksTwitter: @GaryDMcGuganInstagram: @authorgarydmcgugan 
Read our review of A Web of Deceit

Award-winning author Christian de la Huerta is an acclaimed speaker at various settings, including universities, conferences, corporate training, spiritual communities and the TedX stage. Audiences find Christian's message particularly relevant in these times. Christian also practices as a spiritual coach and a leadership development consultant whose work ranges from individuals and couples in private practice to major corporations and non-profit groups.
Topics of Conversation:
What is the Soul of Power?
Why women's empowerment is so important in the world today.
What are the different types of power?
How do we take back our power?
Deepening your experience
Awakening the Soul of Power, the first book in the Calling All Heroes series, rethinks what heroism means in the 21st century and reveals practical tools to help you embark on a journey to personal freedom. If you long for healthier relationships and a life filled with meaning and purpose, this book holds the keys to unlocking the secrets of personal empowerment and unleashing your inner hero.
Awakening the Soul of Power focuses on personal empowerment because the way you embody, express and relate to power impacts every area of your life.
If you long for healthier relationships and a life filled with meaning and purpose, this book holds the keys to getting what you want. 
CONNECT WITH CHRISTIAN DE LA HUERTA!
SoulfulPower.com
Unleash Your Inner Hero Facebook Group
Instagram
Soulful Power You Tube Channel

BRITT EAST is an author and speaker who uses his experience, strength, and hope to challenge and inspire change-oriented gay men to get down to the business of improving their lives. With over two decades of personal growth and development experience in a variety of modalities, such as the 12 Steps, Nonviolent Communication, yoga, meditation, talk therapy, and the Hoffman Process, Britt is committed to building a personal practice of self-discovery that he can then share with gay men everywhere. He lives in Seattle with his husband and their crazy dog.
Topics of Conversation
Using his experiences to establish a platform to help others 
Britt's personal experience growing up gay in the South
Using "A Gay Man's Guide to Life" for personal transformation
Coming from a place of service for personal growth
Realizing your full potential
and more...
A GAY MAN'S GUIDE TO LIFE presents an approachable, no-nonsense path for gay men, to set down the excuses and get to the business of improving their lives. No new-age mumbo jumbo or wishy washy self-help jargon. Just real work focused on real results to unleash our true selves and unlock our best lives.
CONNECT WITH BRITT EAST!
Website: https://www.britteast.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brittdawsoneast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/britteast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/britteast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTGeWrvrfCAlq4oUPiEBTHQ
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britteast/
eMail: info@britteast.com
 
 

As an attorney and civil justice advocate, author Mark M. Bello draws upon over 40 years of courtroom experience in his Zachary Blake Legal Thriller Series.
A Michigan native, Mark received his B.A. in English Literature from Oakland University and his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. After working extremely high profile legal cases, Mark wanted to give the public a front-row glimpse of what victims face when standing up for justice.
Combining his legal experience and passion for justice with a creative writing style, Mark not only brings high-quality legal services to his clients but captivating novels to his readers.
When Mark’s not writing legal and political novels, he writes and posts about fairness and justice in the civil justice system on his website, Legal Examiner and Injury Board. In his spare time, Mark enjoys traveling and spending time with his family. Mark and his wife, Tobye, have four children and 8 grandchildren.
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION:
Drawing inspiration from today's headlines
Social justice issues
Sexual assault reporting before and after the MeToo Movement
Creating characters we love and those we love to hate
Writing two novels at one time
What's next?
SUPREME BETRAYAL is a dynamic and action-packed journey of injustice, betrayal, murder and revenge as white privilege, partisan politics and greed take precedence over the truth.
 
CONNECT WITH MARK BELLO!
Visit his website: https://www.markmbello.com/
Follow him on social media:
FacebookTwitter
Watch the book trailer video
Read the Reader Views review of Supreme Betrayal