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Books

Fiction, History, Thriller, Writers on Writing

FEB 24: Steve Berry with The Kaiser’s Web

February 24, 2021

New York Times & #1 International Bestselling Author

Steve Berry returns to Conversations Live with his latest book, which happens to be #16 in the Cotton Malone Series, and Berry’s 20th novel — The Kaiser’s Web. When a secret dossier from a World War II-era Soviet spy is exposed, it could rewrite history and impact Germany’s upcoming national elections, forever changing the political landscape of Europe.

Since Steve is an avid historian and travels extensively for his research, how is he handling pandemic restrictions? How did this impact background material  for The Kaiser’s Web? And what is Steve’s most important piece of marketing advice for authors?

About Steve Berry

History lies at the heart of every Steve Berry novel. His title’s include The Kaiser’s Web, The Warsaw Protocol, The Malta Exchange, and others. Berry’s books have been translated into 41 languages with 25,000,000 copies in 52 countries. They consistently appear in the top echelon of The New York Times,USA Today, and Indie bestseller lists. And in 2010, a NPR survey named The Templar Legacy one of the top 100 thrillers ever written.

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Fiction

JAN 27: A Rainbow Like You with Andrea Fehsenfeld

January 27, 2021

A rock star with everything to prove. A teen stowaway with nothing to lose.

How did Andrea Fehsenfeld‘s love of music and interest in synesthesia inspire the story of a troubled rock legend returning to the stage?

A Rainbow Like You is a tale of hope, healing, and the power of home. Today Andrea shares where her inspiration came from and how she developed her musical protagonist. What makes good dialogue. Her favorite scenes to write. And why she wrote her first song for the novel.

About Andrea Fehsenfeld

Andrea Fehsenfeld is an author and award-winning TV producer. A Rainbow Like You is her second novel and was voted A Best BC Book of 2020. Her debut novel Completion is currently being adapted for television.

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

DEC 30: Award-winning Crime Thriller Author Glen Erik Hamilton

December 30, 2020

The Van Shaw series 5th novel: A Dangerous Breed

We’re ending the year with another chance to catch listener favorite, Glen Erik Hamilton.

We discuss how Glen develops his recurring cast of characters to keep them fresh and evolving. What kind of research he did for A Dangerous Breed. And where and why Glen took creative license.

Glen also shares his perspective on the responsibilities artists have in today’s social and political culture.

About Glen Erik Hamilton

Glen Erik Hamilton writes crime thrillers. His award-winning novels have been called “outstanding” (Publishers Weekly), “perfect mix of serious crime and caper movie” (Criminal Element), and “a must-read series” (Mystery Scene Magazine). Most of Glens’ books begin and end in Seattle, and growing up on a sailboat around local marinas and docks, provided him with a unique insider advantage to writing about the Pacific Northwest.

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

DEC 23: Unrestricted Access with James Rollins

December 23, 2020

#1NYT bestselling author James Rollins discusses his first-ever anthology of short stories

If  you’re looking for a last minute gift, Unrestricted Access is packed full of exciting stand-alone stories, some familiar characters, and a brand new novella from  James Rollins.

We discuss how James approaches writing short stories versus novellas and novels. Story locations and the mystery surrounding them. And some of the unknown stories behind the stories.

About James Rollins

James Rollins is the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of international thrillers. Unrestricted Access is his first book of new and classic short fiction, and includes Sun Dogs, a new novella. James’ books have sold more than 20 million copies throughout the world, and have been translated into more than 40 languages.

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Biography, Journalism, Non Fiction

NOV 04: Sarah Smarsh with She Come by it Natural

November 4, 2020

Dolly Parton and the Women Who Lived Her Songs

“Country music…is how we talked to each other in a place where feelings aren’t discussed” writes Sarah Smarsh.

We discuss what Dolly Parton means to working class women living in poverty. Why Sarah describes Ms. Parton as the ultimate “woman of paradox.”  And why, despite her huge success as a sex symbol, creative genius, and philanthropic juggernaut, Dolly Parton does not consider herself a feminist. 

About Sarah Smarsh

Sarah Smarsh is a journalist who’s covered socioeconomic class, politics, and public policy for The New York Times, The Guardian, The New Yorker, Harper’s. She Come By It Natural: Dolly Parton and the Women Who Lived Her Songs is Smarsh’s second book. Her first, Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth, was a New York Times Bestseller, and a finalist for the National Book Award.

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

JUN 24: #1 NYT Bestselling Thriller Author on The Last Odyssey

June 24, 2020

James Rollins blends science, history, and thrills in The Last Odyssey — the 15th of his books in the Sigma series.

We share how James’ travels and some of the history he discovered inspired the story. And separate fact from fiction by exploring where and why he took creative license. We also take a quick look at what’s coming later in 2020 in a book of short fiction stories.

James Rollins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers, translated into more than forty languages, with more than 25 million copies sold.

 

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History, Non Fiction

MAY 20: The Lincoln Conspiracy with Brad Meltzer

May 20, 2020

“ …  a story few people know, one that’s set in a time of deep political division in America … It shows us what good leaders can do in times of strife – perfectly on point for where our country is today.” Brad Meltzer

Brad Meltzer returns to Conversations Live to share some of the stories from The Lincoln Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill America’s 16th President and Why it Failed. While most Americans know Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, few know of the first attempt on his life. It happened on the way to his inauguration, setting his presidency off to a rocky start. We discuss the challenges he faced as an underdog and how, even during times of civil war, Lincoln’s primary aim was to unite the country.

Brad Meltzer is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Escape Artist and many other bestselling thrillers, as well as the Ordinary People Change the World series. He is also the host of the History Channel TV shows Brad Meltzer’s Decoded and Brad Meltzer’s Lost History. Meltzer coauthored The Lincoln Conspiracy with Josh Mensch, a New York Times bestselling author and documentary television producer, with a focus on American history.

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

MAY 13: Love, Death, and Rare Books by Robert Hellenga

May 13, 2020

Award winning writer, Robert Hellenga, joins us with his eighth novel, Love, Death, and Rare Books. BOOKLIST describes the story as “... an ode to physical books, their smell and feel, but also to the idea of both living life and reading about it, not choosing one over the other.”

Robert’s been writing for 40 years about love and loss, so what does he know now that he wishes he’d known when he first began his writing journey?  How did the Italian men who worked for his father influence him as a child? And what did he learn about the rare book business during his story research? He’ll answer these questions and more today.

Robert Helenga’s many accolades range from The Pen Syndicated Fiction Award, to the Washington Post “Best Novels of 2010″, and the Society of Midland Authors 2015 fiction award. Hellenga is professor emeritus at Knox College in Galesburg, where he taught for many years.

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Conservation, Health & Wellness, Wildlife

APR 08: National Wildlife Week with Naturalist David Mizejewski

April 8, 2020

Most of us are on Stay Home, Stay Healthy orders right now because of COVID 19. But even some introverts are starting to go stir-crazy. So how can you entertain your kids, get some fresh air and a little vitamin D from sunlight — and do so safely and responsibly?

Celebrating National Wildlife Week, David Mizejewski joins us to provide suggestions for indoor and safe outdoor activities. We discuss how to begin creating a sustainable garden to support wildlife. How to get kids’ Ranger Rick magazines for FREE.  Why Possum’s are the most misunderstood creatures, and their value to our environment. As well as the many physical and emotional benefits of getting kids outdoors and interested in wildlife (following CDC Corona virus guidelines, of course!).

David Mizejewski is a naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation. He’s a regular on Conan, The Wendy Williams Show, and NBC’s Today Show. He’s also hosted TV shows on NatGeo WILD and Animal Planet.

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Non Fiction, Relationships, Self-help

APR 01: Linda Carroll on Love Skills to Survive Bad Times & Thrive in Good Times

April 1, 2020

Love SKills The Keys to Unlocking Lasting Wholehearted LoveCrises can bring out the best, and the worst, in people and relationships. As the Novel Corona virus sweeps the world, and couples spend more time at home together, will your relationship thrive or become a statistic of divorce?

Today, Linda Carroll takes an honest look at the differences in her own 35-year partnership, and they each cope very differently with the current crisis.  And to help your relationship thrive during normal times, we discuss the key skills to creating wholehearted love, and the most destructive behaviors you should change right now.

Linda Carroll is a therapist and relationship expert with more than three decades experience. She writes, speaks, and teaches, in addition to seeing private and group patients. Linda’s latest book is Love Skills: The Keys to Unlocking Lasting Wholehearted Love. Her first book, Love Cycles, explains the five love cycles in detail.

 

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