My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Michael Colon, author of the book The Gift from Aelius. Michael Colon is a creative freelance writer and novelist, born and raised in the Big Apple, New York City. He uses his craft to profoundly impact the lives of others with thought-provoking words that breathe life into his characters. He often equates his writing to painting masterpieces with prose. His inspiration comes from various societal art forms and his own life experiences. When he isn’t writing he enjoys working out, watching sports, visiting museums, and exploring nature trails.

In my book review, I stated The Gift from Aelius is a fantasy novella. Despite not being a hardcore fantasy reader, I like the premise of this book. What happens when AI is smart enough to take over? What do humans do? And more importantly, what does AI, known in this story as Codex, do? And wouldn't it be ironic if Codex determined power at any cost was the answer, given they were created by humans who believe that power at any cost is the answer?

And all would be going as planned, except one Codex is more than meets the eye. As he begins having 'glitches', he comes to understand that the world would be a better place if Codex and humans could live side by side in harmony. For A191, this becomes his personal mission. But will he be decommissioned before he can reach his goal?

At times, I struggled with the writing, feeling like I was being told rather than left to experience. However, the author did a good enough job that I had to finish reading to find out what happened in the end.

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You can follow Author Michael Colon

Website: https://www.twbpress.com/authormichaelcolon.html

FB: @Michael Colon

IG: @michaelcolonauthor

Purchase The Gift from Aelius on Amazon:

Paperback: https://amzn.to/3Nayf9r

Ebook: https://amzn.to/4rb39gD

Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com

FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor

IG: @terimbrown_author

X: @terimbrown1

Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors

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My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Steven Scott Eichenblatt, author of the book Pretend They are Dead. Steven is a graduate of Florida State University and the University of Florida College of Law. A practicing attorney and father of five, he has spent over thirty years advocating for children as a pro bono guardian ad litem and representing families of first responders killed on 9/11. As a founding partner of Page & Eichenblatt, he has received multiple awards for legal excellence and community work supporting children. He lives with his wife in Orlando, Florida.

In my book review, I stated Pretend They Are Dead is heartbreaking memoir. Steven's father had issues - enough that his parents divorced. She remarried a man who was verbally and physically abusive. Although, technically, Steven had two fathers, he felt abandoned by both. By the time he graduated high school, he called no one dad.

The trauma from his youth made it impossible to have lasting relationships, though he tried, failing at two marriages. But something he didn't want to fail at was being a father. So, he loved his children with everything he had and worked hard to figure out the truth of his past.

I like Steven's style of writing. I felt like I was in his head - which spins from one topic to the next. I could see why he exasperated his parents at a young age! He is also honest - about his own actions as well as the actions of others. Despite the circumstances, in the end, he doesn't really cast blame. Instead, he figures out how to forgive, let the past go, and find joy in today.

If you like a good memoir, you'll like this book!

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Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290

You can follow Author Steven Scott Eichenblatt

Website: https://www.stevenscotteichenblatt.com/

FB: @seichenblatt

IG: @seichenblatt

X: @SSEichenblatt

LinkedIn: @Steven Eichenblatt

Purchase Pretend They are Dead on Amazon:

Paperback: https://amzn.to/3NGK72R

Ebook: https://amzn.to/4qQtzE4

Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com

FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor

IG: @terimbrown_author

X: @terimbrown1

Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors

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*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Dorothea N Buckingham, author of the book Code Name Rascal. Dorothea “Dee” Buckingham is a seasoned author, retired librarian, and dedicated historian who has called Hawaiʻi home for over 30 years. Her profound interest in the daily lives of women during World War II in Hawaiʻi has been the cornerstone of her literary work. Dee’s commitment to uncovering and narrating these often-overlooked stories has established her as a respected voice in historical fiction.

Her notable publications include My Name is Loa, a historical novel set on Molokaʻi, and Who Murdered Jane Stanford?: An Answer Imagined, which delves into the mysterious death of Stanford University’s co-founder in 1905 Hawaiʻi. Additionally, she co-authored World War II Hawaiʻi with her husband, retired Lieutenant Colonel John Buckingham, offering a pictorial history that captures the transformative impact of the war on the islands.

Dee’s passion for storytelling extends beyond writing; she is an Author Accelerator certified book coach, providing guidance to aspiring writers. Her engaging talks and workshops have been featured on west coast radio and television in Hawaiʻi, and she has presented to diverse audiences, sharing her insights on writing and historical research.

Her latest work, Code Name Rascal, continues her mission to illuminate the vital roles women played during wartime, weaving a narrative that is both historically rich and emotionally resonant.

Dee enjoys connecting with readers and is available to meet with book clubs and reading groups, both in person and via Zoom, to discuss her work and share insights into her writing process.

In my book review, I stated Code Name Rascal is a wonderful historical fiction. This story takes place in Hawaii immediately following the attack on Pearl Harbor. We quickly meet four women, all very different from one another, who join a classified radar operation known as WARD, with the code name Rascal.

One of the things I loved best about this story is that I was completely unaware of WARD or even the issues in Hawaii after the initial bombing. I'm not sure where I was during school, but there is a lot more to what happened than I realized! Code Name Rascal helped fill in so many of the blanks.

I also really loved Dorothea's characters. CJ is a strong, newly-married journalist. Ruth is a quiet Navy officer wife. Jane is a pilot going through divorce. And Eve is a Honolulu socialite. Imagine all these women thrust into tiny quarters, working grueling hours, keeping war secrets, and still trying to figure out their own lives. It's like a historical soap opera, full of determination, grief, danger, and disappearing dreams - and it's one you won't want to miss!

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You can follow Author Dorothea N Buckingham

Website: https://dorotheabuckingham.com/

Substack: https://dorotheanbuckingham.substack.com/

Purchase Code Name Rascal on Amazon:

Paperback: https://amzn.to/3LrHJMU

Ebook: https://amzn.to/49sTwUx

Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com

FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor

IG: @terimbrown_author

X: @terimbrown1

Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors

#dorotheanbuckingham #codenamerascal #historicalfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.