Indie Reads Aloud: A Storytelling Podcast

About The Author: Kathleen is a Texas gal. Except for an eighteen-month hiatus living in New York City after college, she lived in the Lone Star State continuously for fifty years. Since then, Texas has been hit and miss—a little hit, but a heck of a lot of miss. There was a time when she thought she would happily die in Austin, Texas. But circumstances and weather—especially weather—changed that. Now she spends most of the year on Fidalgo Island in Washington State with a view of the bay and the mountains. When she gets homesick, she and her husband listen to Willie Nelson. Soon, they are dancing the two-step, imagining they are at their favorite honky-tonk in Tokio, Texas, where the mayor is believed to be a dog. Who wouldn’t miss that?
Kathleen writes the awarding-winning mysteries: The Sydney Lockhart Mystery Series set in the 1950s and The Sherlock Holmes Quiz Book, which was updated and released by Lyons Press in November of 2020. She also writes the Kate Caraway Animal-Rights Mystery Series; as well as a biography of ornithologist Robert Porter Allen, The Man Who Saved The Whooping Crane.
On her blog, you can also find her Five-Minute Writing Tips and Growing Up Catholic in a Small Texas Town. Kathleen also coaches writers and edits manuscripts.
Book Title: Murder at The Galvez
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Book Synopsis: Eighteen years after discovering the murdered body of her grandfather in the foyer of the historic Galvez Hotel, reporter Sydney Lockhart returns to Galveston, Texas to cover a story. Instead, she finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery.
Something fishy is going on in Galveston, Texas, and Sydney is smack dab in the middle of it when she checks into the historic Galvez Hotel, a place that stirs her most uncomfortable memories. She’s there to cover the controversial Pelican Island Development Project conference, but soon after her arrival, the conference is canceled, the keynote speaker is missing, and a body turns up in the truck of Sydney’s car. Next, Sydney’s hauled to the police station for questioning.
As if this wasn’t bad enough, just a few blocks from the hotel at her parents’ home, people are gathering, sparks are flying, another controversial event is in the planning, one that just might rival the Great Storm of 1900.
Sydney is helped and obstructed by her cousins, Ruth and Marcela, and Dixon, her beloved partner-in-solving-crime. But ultimately it’s up to Sydney, armed with wit and bravado (and Dixon’s .45), who must discover who killed the man in the trunk and why her father’s new friend is floating face-down in a fish tank with a bullet in his head. Her father’s odd behavior and the anonymous threatening notes delivered to her hotel room lead Sydney to suspect that her grandfather’s unsolved murder and the present murders might be connected.

LISTENER ADVISORY: STRONG LANGUAGE, MATURE SITUATIONS

About The Author: Rhys Shaw has always been interested in history, dilapidated ruins, stories of deceit and survival. Her belief that women are overlooked in history, or blamed for mankind’s unsavory decisions is the reigning theme behind her gritty realistic historical fiction books. In The Welexia Series, Rhys draws upon her love of story to bring the pages alive with the personal struggles and pain of strong female characters, taking us on their journey to overcome and thrive.
In the modern world, Rhys shares her home with a few furry friends and a less furry spouse. She can often be found with her nose in a book, or taking a walk - though not at the same time.
Book Title: The Weight of Her Crown… Book Three In The Welexia Series
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Book Synopsis: Desiring peace above all else, Queen Alaria is conflicted when it comes to condemning men to death.  Even those who deserve to die.
Disturbing news from a village in the north adds to the queen’s concerns of protecting her country from the wrath of the violent King of Restunia.
Amidst all expectations, and her duties as queen, she is distracted by a handsome soldier. Not only have his rash decisions put the entire kingdom at risk, the more she learns about him and his role in her family’s captivity, she wonders if he is trustworthy, or deserving of her love.
Weight Of Her Crown is the third book in The Welexia Series. Join Queen Alaria as she navigates the complicated realm of sovereignty. Love, loss, survival, and deceit continue in this richly painted saga set in a 14th century land.

About The Author: Kathleen is a Texas gal. Except for an eighteen-month hiatus living in New York City after college, she lived in the Lone Star State continuously for fifty years. Since then, Texas has been hit and miss—a little hit, but a heck of a lot of miss. There was a time when she thought she would happily die in Austin, Texas. But circumstances and weather—especially weather—changed that. Now she spends most of the year on Fidalgo Island in Washington State with a view of the bay and the mountains. When she gets homesick, she and her husband listen to Willie Nelson. Soon, they are dancing the two-step, imagining they are at their favorite honky-tonk in Tokio, Texas, where the mayor is believed to be a dog. Who wouldn’t miss that?
Kathleen writes the awarding-winning mysteries: The Sydney Lockhart Mystery Series set in the 1950s and The Sherlock Holmes Quiz Book, which was updated and released by Lyons Press in November of 2020. She also writes the Kate Caraway Animal-Rights Mystery Series; as well as a biography of ornithologist Robert Porter Allen, The Man Who Saved The Whooping Crane.
On her blog, you can also find her Five-Minute Writing Tips and Growing Up Catholic in a Small Texas Town. Kathleen also coaches writers and edits manuscripts.
Book Title: Murder at The Luther
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Book Synopsis:  It's New Year's Eve, 1952. Texas politicians are backslapping and ringing in '53 at the historic Luther Hotel on the Texas Coast. Reporter Sydney Lockhart is there covering the festivities. The celebration turns sour when Sydney finds herself dancing with a dead man. With her fingerprints on the murder weapon and a police chief with his own agenda, Sydney ushers in the New Year behind bars. Soon there is another body, more damning fingerprints, and a crazy Cajun who's been paid to feed Sydney to the alligators. Things get worse when cousin Ruth comes to town with a problem even Sydney can't solve.

LISTENER ADVISORY: STRONG LANGUAGE, MATURE SITUATIONS
About The Author: Rhys Shaw has always been interested in history, dilapidated ruins, stories of deceit and survival. Her belief that women are overlooked in history, or blamed for mankind’s unsavory decisions is the reigning theme behind her gritty realistic historical fiction books. In The Welexia Series, Rhys draws upon her love of story to bring the pages alive with the personal struggles and pain of strong female characters, taking us on their journey to overcome and thrive.
In the modern world, Rhys shares her home with a few furry friends and a less furry spouse. She can often be found with her nose in a book, or taking a walk - though not at the same time.
Book Title: A Daughter Rules… Book Two In The Welexia Series
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Book Synopsis: Queen Alaria, and her father, King Oshinor of Welexia, are doing all they can to help their people recover and thrive. Now that the tyrant, Traintor, has fled to Restunia, life is again worth living.
The king of Restunia, sworn enemy of Welexia, desires power over peace, and cannot be trusted. He despises Queen Alaria and will exploit whoever he needs to, including his only son.
A Daughter Rules, the second book in The Welexia Series, continues Alaria’s journey in another action packed story of betrayal, grief, and overcoming obstacles. Facing attacks from both Traintor’s delusional supporters and Restunia means she must keep those she trusts near and those she doesn’t, even nearer. Survival is still a priority, but now she must also rescue someone much closer to her, before time runs out.

About The Author: Kathleen is a Texas gal. Except for an eighteen-month hiatus living in New York City after college, she lived in the Lone Star State continuously for fifty years. Since then, Texas has been hit and miss—a little hit, but a heck of a lot of miss. There was a time when she thought she would happily die in Austin, Texas. But circumstances and weather—especially weather—changed that. Now she spends most of the year on Fidalgo Island in Washington State with a view of the bay and the mountains. When she gets homesick, she and her husband listen to Willie Nelson. Soon, they are dancing the two-step, imagining they are at their favorite honky-tonk in Tokio, Texas, where the mayor is believed to be a dog. Who wouldn’t miss that?
Kathleen writes the awarding-winning mysteries: The Sydney Lockhart Mystery Series set in the 1950s and The Sherlock Holmes Quiz Book, which was updated and released by Lyons Press in November of 2020. She also writes the Kate Caraway Animal-Rights Mystery Series; as well as a biography of ornithologist Robert Porter Allen, The Man Who Saved The Whooping Crane.
On her blog, you can also find her Five-Minute Writing Tips and Growing Up Catholic in a Small Texas Town. Kathleen also coaches writers and edits manuscripts.
Book Title: Murder at The Arlington
Genre: Cozy Mystery
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Book Synopsis:  It is 1952. Reporter Sydney Lockhart checks into the historic Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Before she even unpacks, she discovers the brutally murdered body of the hotel’s bookkeeper. What had begun as a simple travel-writing assignment now turns into a murder investigation. The bad news is that Sydney is a suspect. Determined to clear her name and prove herself a reporter deserving more than just travel assignments, Sydney becomes embroiled in the underworld of gangsters and gamblers. In her fight for the truth, she soon faces a more urgent battle: saving her own skin.

About The Author: Jamie M Samland is a fantasy author based in Canton, MI, USA. He is passionate about creating vivid worlds and compelling characters that transport readers to new realms of imagination. Drawing inspiration from his love of storytelling, Jamie spends his free time playing board games, roleplaying with friends, and indulging in other hobbies like martial arts and home repair. When he is not writing, Jamie is often found lost in thought, dreaming up new and exciting stories to share with readers alongside his husband and their cats.
Book Title: Ooo Shiny! Vol. 2
Genre: LGBTQ Humor
Book Synopsis:  Funny and fantastical short stories from an ADHD mind.  Prepare for a whirlwind of fantastical mayhem as "Ooo Shiny! Volume 2, Holiday Edition 1" unleashes an explosive collection of 20 holiday-themed short stories! At least, they were supposed to be holiday-themed… I might have gotten distracted… Brace yourself for a wild ride through a kaleidoscope of enchanting worlds, where ordinary moments take extraordinary twists.
The squirrel returns, swapping skeletons and AI centipedes for vampires and leprechauns. Grab your hot cocoa for a Christmas you wish would never end. Hit the gym, but be careful who you look at. What if your partner on the force was secretly a famous author? What if you accidentally summoned a fae while trying to become an author, yourself? What if an expensive ren fest hat is all it took to be accepted into a band of sky pirates?
Navigate the perilous gerbil invasion, outmaneuver the seductive allure of vampires, and avert your gaze from the mesmerizing basilisk. Cherish your corgis as loyal protectors, rewarding them with treats for toppling idols of ancient, malevolent deities. After all, they're more than just good dogs—they're the real heroes.
Prepare to lose yourself in these extraordinary tales where holidays collide with adventure, humor, and a heavy-handed scoop of the bizarre. Enter the captivating realm of "Ooo Shiny! Volume 2, Holiday Edition 1," and join the ranks of the GNORMAN.

About The Author: Wife, Mother, Librarian. Helen lives in Michigan with her husband Paul and their children, two dogs, a cat and a ferret. While not working as a public librarian, she enjoys gardening, family research, crafts and chilling at home.
Title: Charles Franklin Chamberlain: Drawn To France
Genre: Non-Fiction
Book Synopsis: Charles Franklin Chamberlain, 1871 - 1947, was a farmer by birth but an artist by heart. This is his story including a brief biography though told mostly through letters exchanged with his mother and friends during his many travels, and highlighted by his art and photography.
Charles studied in Chicago, Detroit, New York, and Paris. Charles attended art school at the Detroit Academy, and in 1892-93 went off to study at the Art Students League of New York. It was in Detroit as well as in New York that Charles made many connections in the art world and soon was determined to make his way to Paris to further his studies. Charles' first trip to France was in 1894 and he concentrated his studies at the Academic Julian, Montmartre, Paris as well as at the newer Aman-Jean School. He spent several years in France studying under the old masters, following the impressionist influence of the time.

About The Author: Bradley Poore is the author of A JOURNEY TO THE MIDDLE: How I embraced mediocrity and failed to turn my old vacuum into a rocket ship. Men of War is his second book of essays. Bradley is considered by many to be a fool's fool; with very little understanding or knowledge of how the world works.  
He loves waffle fries, chainsaw sculptures, traveling by train, and the Amish. Bradley lives in Ann Arbor, MI.
Title: Opera Andy
Genre: Children’s
Book Synopsis: Andy lives in a BIG city and works for a large bank. Andy sings to his biggest fans, his cats: Ben and Max. Andy auditions for the opera, but will he become a famous opera singer?
Beautiful hand-painted illustrations in watercolor by artist Phelan Harris; it's as lovely to look at as it is to read. Opera Andy is a happy tale about knowing one's self and being happy with who you are.

About The Author: Raine is Canadian, born and raised, and constantly moved between Ontario and Quebec with her military family. She moved to Michigan, USA, in 2004, where she currently still resides with her husband and son.
She has always had a vivid imagination and loved reading and writing from a very young age. She took courses in Children’s Literature through ICL in Illinois, and published her debut new adult steampunk adventure in 2020. She has participated in NaNoWriMo for over a decade and was a Municipal Liaison for the Detroit region for six years.
Title: The Techno Mage
Genre: Steampunk
Book Synopsis: She’s being held hostage and yet, Magaliana doesn’t want to be saved.
Close friends Ikarim, Arteus, and Magaliana always knew the dangers of sky pirates, but what they didn’t expect was having their airship repair shop pillaged and being separated when Magaliana, a noble, is sold for a hefty bounty.
Once in the hands of the Techno Mage, her world changes. He’s a mythical man with the ability to flawlessly combine both technology and alchemy, and his mythical ship is a haven for Magaliana. There, she discovers how to refine her craft.
Ikarim and Arteus are determined to escape the sky pirates to save her, but do they have what it takes before the Techno Mage initiates his grand plan?