Categories
Books

100 Best Books

Compiled by Shepherd.com

A while ago, Ben Shepherd created a place for authors and readers to post and find great reads! I have provided reviews and links in the past. Please support this effort by participating!

Here are the favorite reads from 2023 by over 1,000 authors!

Click here for complete list and reviews: https://shepherd.com/bboy/2023

And here are the reviews I provided (I picked three of the many I’ve read this past year!)

Click here for my reviews: https://shepherd.com/bboy/2023/f/laurel-mchargue

As always, thanks for visiting, and remember to sign up for my mid-monthly newsletter before leaving!

Laurel Stuff:

Banjo and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Find my other work here!

Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Interview Podcast

“Bring Them Home!”

Israeli Author Miriam Green Discusses the Hamas Terrorist Attack on 7 October 2023

CONTENT WARNING: Graphic language of attack may disturb listeners.

Watch our visit on November 19, 2023.
Photo of Miriam and her mom from her webpage thelostkitchen.org
Audio-only version of our interview

SHOW NOTES with Links:

  • Miriam Green’s book The Lost Kitchen: Reflections and Recipes from a Alzheimer’s Caregiver
  • Miriam’s website The Lost Kitchen
  • I introduce Miriam Green, born in London, raised in Bethesda, MD, Oberlin College in Ohio, met husband in Washington, D.C., and has been living in Israel for 32 years.
  • I interviewed Miriam in July of 2019 when her book came out. Here’s the link. Please watch if you’re interested in learning more about Alzheimer’s Disease.
  • She talks about what she did today, and how in her poetry group members pay tribute to one of their own (Judy Weinstein Hagai) who is presumed to be captured or worse. Miriam is one of the founders of the group Voices Israel
  • Miriam sets the scene for what happened on October 7th as her family prepared for Shabbat.
  • She discusses the phone call from her daughter and the subsequent horrors she discovered.
  • She discusses a day in which three unique events became linked in her memory: Leaving her youngest son at the bus to deploy, paying a condolence call to a family that had lost their daughter and son-in-law horribly, and visiting her mother in the Alzheimer’s Care home.
  • She talks about her mom and how music still allows her to connect.
  • Both men and women in Israel are called into service.
  • I ask how her children, their children, and her father (who is 85) are coping with living in a war zone.
  • Miriam and a friend volunteer at a new local zoo as a way to make a difference and as a way to help them cope with the daily uncertainty.
  • In the midst of war, Miriam Green and others like her have made the decision they must move forward.
  • I mention Thanksgiving week in the United States and how I feel both thankful and guilty for the circumstances of my birth and how I’m able to live in safety.
  • How can we help? Here are two links: 
  • The first is JGive which highlights different organizations that are helping in the war effort: https://www.jgive.com/new/en/usd?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAgeeqBhBAEiwAoDDhn70Thd0cjQ2obzFHJ7cbTXHRfp6p_NbVLNWqDQN6WKCEmqYQSw0E8BoCqGgQAvD_BwE
  • The second is my friend’s kibbutz, Kibbutz Ketura: Want to help on a personal level through Kibbutz Ketura? Donate to Merkaz Hasachar on Israel Gives, and Ketura will use the money to care for the over 250 extra people we have on kibbutz now. We are making food and donating toys and clothing, sending young people to play, read, and do activities with kids evacuated from the fighting to Eilat as well as the families staying with us. Also taking treats to soldiers, finding ways to send necessities to people who were called up to serve without time to prepare. The money will be used to get what they need. However we can help. https://www.israelgives.org/amuta/580032159 
  • And a link to the poem: https://www.dailygood.org/story/2647/wislawa-szymborska-life-while-you-wait-maria-popova/

“BRING THEM HOME”

Laurel Stuff:

Find my other work here!

Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Laurel on Life

“Let’s Talk About Sex!” [with Dr. Heather England]

(I think she’s our new Dr. Ruth for the 21st Century!)

Dr. Heather England, Founder of Love Filled Life
My interview with Heather on 15 October 2023
Audio-only version of our interview

Dr. Heather England’s Bio:

Heather is a licensed clinical psychotherapist, certified sex therapist, and life coach, specializing in helping people love themselves and create the lives they truly want, nurture meaningful, loving relationships, and have great sex. She has had a wild and varied career that includes being an army officer and a senior manager at Hallmark Cards. Her focus as a certified sex therapist is helping people in midlife and beyond with challenges like low desire, disconnection from their partners, shame, lack of sexual know-how and self-confidence, and erectile dysfunction so they can enjoy magnificent sex.

Show Notes with Links:

  • I ask Heather the who/what/when/where/why and WHAT inspired her to become a sex therapist.
  • She discusses her audience for her GREAT SEX PODCAST.
  • She talks about doing shows with her son and how it has enriched their relationship.
Heather and her son
  • I ask about her husband’s response to her fairly new venture.
With her husband
  • There seems to be a need now…shows like “SEX EDUCATION” and “BIG MOUTH”(animated). I ask her thoughts on those shows.
  • What is the topic of most concern?
  • I ask when she will do a live show with call-ins.
  • Heather talks about the feedback she’s getting.
Ready to record her GREAT SEX PODCAST
  • She leaves listeners with a message and a very funny story about sex.
  • FOLLOW drheatherengland on Instagram, www.lovefilled life.com, GreatSexPodcast

Links to Heather’s sites:

Website: Love Filled Life

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-england-ph-d-59a72745/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/drheatherengland/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrHeatherEngland/

Laurel Stuff:

Heather and I danced (on the sidelines!) at a Drag Queen show in Vegas this summer!

Find my other work here!

Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Author Interview Books Podcast Writing

Cam Torrens: Award-Winning Author of “STABLE”

and man of many adventures!

Cam Torrens, Award-Winning Author of “STABLE”
Enjoy this fun visit with Cam!
Audio-only version of our visit!

Cam on commo during a SAR mission

Show Notes with Links:

  • Cam has served 30 years as an Air Force Officer. He’s been a husband, an attaché, a professor, a father of six, and a Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteer for Chaffee County, Colorado.
  • He tells us who he is today.
  • His debut novel STABLE has already earned three awards. Suspense, action, mystery, dynamic personal interactions, and humor! This novel has it all.
  • Cam gives us an elevator pitch for STABLE, which has some autobiographical elements.
Cam also races. Seen here doing the Moab 55K.
  • Cam talks about how he organizes his time (he’s very organized!) to accomplish his goals.
  • He discusses his greatest challenge in completing his novels and the things/organizations/people that have helped.
  • If he could choose one job to do for the rest of his life…?
  • Cam is a voracious reader. His newsletter includes book reviews every month. Sign up for it on his website: camtorrens.com
Cam on a SAR mission on La Plata peak (a Colorado 14’er)
  • He discusses where he’s happiest.
  • We talk about Central Colorado Writers (CCW) and the critique group led my author L.V. Ditchkus.
  • We talk about NYT Best-Selling Author David L. Robbins and the course we took with him: The Mighty Pen Project.
  • Cam offers tips to writers, new and less new!
  • He adds a few shout-outs in addition to his wife and children and his publishing company, Black Rose Writing
  • Book two in the Tyler Zahn series is available for pre-order now, with a release date of October 5th, 2023. False Summit
  • Cam donates portions of his book sales to SAR.

Laurel Stuff:

Mike and I spend time in the mountains too! This is Browns Creek Falls.

Find my other work here!

Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Author Interview Books Podcast Writing

Debut Poet Savannah J Tully!

Poet, Nature Lover, Humanitarian,
All-around Wonderful Human!

Savannah J Tully
Audio-only version of our visit!

Show Notes with Links:

  • I met Savannah when she won the Central Colorado Writers YOUTH WRITING CONTEST Bronze prize for “Mangroves Whisper Life and Death.” The assigned topic was “SOMEDAY”…she talks about her inspiration.
  • Read her story on the Central Colorado Writers website: https://www.ccwriters.org/
Savannah in Costa Rica
  • Her debut publication is a Poetry Collection: SIX TALL TREES
  • She tells us how she came to Buena Vista, Colorado from Indiana for her senior HS year.
  • “Through the dirt on my feet and the air we all share, I find peace in struggle and triumph” (back cover). I ask how she got to be so wise. She talks about her wonderful grandmother.
  • We discuss her understanding of things being “neither good nor bad, they just are,” I read Mountain Mindset (p. 48)
  • Life presents challenges, not problems!
  • She also paints birdhouses!
  • Savannah reads a few of her favorite poems and we discuss them.
  • Her understanding of time comes through in Mountain Mindset and Winter (p. 80)
  • I suggest Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now.
  • We discuss her poem Want (p. 11) and her BIG question (p. 7)
  • Her illustrations remind me of Etch A Sketch. They are one-line sketches, and they embellish her book beautifully.
  • She talks about a typical family evening, challenges of high school, and looking forward to attending Missouri University of Science and Technology.
  • She offers advice to young writers.
  • email Savannah at savtul20@gmail.com and you may order her book from her Instagram account: stully_20 or
  • Order from Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/six-tall-trees-savannah-j-tully/1143206791
  • Or Amazon:

Laurel Stuff:

When I’m not visiting fascinating people, I’m enjoying the fruits of my labor!

Find my other work here!

Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Laurel on Life

Are You a Vegas Virgin?

I’m not, anymore!

This will forevermore be my favorite profile photo!

When my friend Sherry Randall told me she planned to see Barry Manilow in Las Vegas the end of March, 2023, I decided to tag along. I’d never been to Vegas. I’d won a trip for two to Vegas back in the early 2000s after winning the Northern Virginia Bowler of the Year Award (traded it in for tickets to St. Croix), been told by countless people how horrible Vegas was, and had been warned about the still-smoky casinos, but deep in my heart I knew it was time to decide for myself.

Sherry planned the whole weekend. We’d see Barry the first night, attend a Cirque du Soleil (Mystère) the second night, see the musical SIX the 3rd night, and possibly recover from walking an average of seven miles per day our 4th night.

Barry Manilow…front row seats! So WOW!

Sometime over the course of our visit, one of us would turn $20 into $20,000 at a Casino. It (didn’t) could happen.

Without saying any more, watch this video compilation of highlights from our Vegas vacation and decide for yourself if it was worth doing!

Yes, it was SOOoooooo worth doing!

Happy to say I’m no longer a Vegas Virgin–and I would recommend an exploratory visit there to anyone who might ask! Make sure you go with someone you know will choose to have fun!

Laurel Stuff:

I applied for a job…they said I was overqualified! HA!

Find my other work here!

Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Author Interview Books Podcast

Mark Shaiken: Author, Photographer, Musician…Renaissance Man!

Mark Shaiken

Visit with us on YouTube!
Listen here for edited audio-only version!

Show Notes with Links:

  • Who is Mark Shaiken today?
  • I ask about his debut as a storyteller and give him 3 floors to present his elevator pitch.
  • After 41 years of commercial bankruptcy law, does he wish he’d left the practice sooner?
  • Fresh Start, Automatic Stay, and Unfair Discrimination…you don’t need to read them in order to understand the characters.
  • Many things to learn in his books! Vigenère cipher, IoT . . .
  • Unique POVs…first person antagonist/villain interspersed…we talk about how hard Clark’s chapters are to read. We discuss redeeming qualities in villains.
Book 3 in his legal thriller series
  • Did he ever have a client as horrible as Clark?
  • I ask if he had any cultural appropriation fallout from his series.
  • He tells us he’s not a very controversial person!
  • He talks about his greatest challenge as a writer.
  • He gave up the suit and tie…I ask what he wears when he’s writing.
  • No spider bite…which superhero would he choose to be?
  • Music plays a big role in his books, and I ask why?
  • We talk about his stunning photography and any disasters he experienced as a sports photographer.
  • Lightning round:  Jazz or rock and roll / oceans or lakes / Law and Order or Perry Mason / bagels or donuts ) listen for his answers!
  • His past interests: Baseball, basketball, guitar.
  • His past jobs before becoming a lawyer: road line painter, septic tank troubleshooter, forklift operator.
  • I ask what he wants to be when he grows up.
  • Shout-outs and ADVICE to writers!
  • Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA)
  • https://www.markshaikenphoto.com/

Song links:

“Don’t Ever Change” referenced in Unfair Discrimination as Pascale sits at the foot of his bed: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/markshaikenauthor_dont-ever-change-videomp4-activity-6996135032658546688-vACn?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

“Blue Sky Afternoon” referenced in Automatic Stay https://www.linkedin.com/posts/markshaikenauthor_in-automatic-stay-pascale-reveals-his-activity-6939643694698434560-IC37?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

More Links:

author webpage: markshaikenauthor.com

photo webpage: markshaikenphoto.com

my photoezine: disophoto.com

Unfair just came out on Audio: https://tinyurl.com/3uumwa6

my YouTube channel (with the book trailers) : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzF_ckLjjtJga8r1EeEMe7A

Laurel Stuff:

When I’m not reading or writing or podcasting or snuggling with my granddog, I like to dress up! My $10 thrift store dress was perfect for Valentine’s Day!

Find my other work here!

Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Sharing is caring!

Categories
Author Interview Books Writing

Johnny Worthen’s Epic Worlds!

Meet the award-winning, tie-dye wearing author of epic social science fiction!

JOHNNY WORTHEN
Visit with us and see his Coronam System here!
Listen to audio-only version of our visit here!

Show Notes with Links:

WELCOME! I met Johnny Worthen at the RMFW Conference in September! He presented the workshop: “The Muddled Middle”

  • Johnny tells us about himself after I tease him about being a tie-dye king…which is now his “brand”!
  • We agree with how liberating it is to have a uniform (which leads me to wonder how the world would change if the military adopted tie-dye uniforms)!
  • He tells us about his debut as a storyteller.
  • He talks about his bagel shop in Oregon (The Daily Bagel).
  • I give him more than 4 floors to present his elevator pitch for Of Kings, Queens, and Colonies
  • I read some of his wonderful similes and figurative language elements, and we discuss “multi-genreism”
  • I ask about the space elevator thread—and wiki says “The key concept of the space elevator appeared in 1895 when Russian scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky was inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris.”
  • I ask about his natives—and reflections of Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness.”
  • Bees and honey, Religion and school indoctrination, steampunk elements, and more!
  • Johnny reads a passage from “Of Kings, Queens, and Colonies”…
  • I ask what’s the most controversial thing he’ve ever done, and he tells us.
  • He talks about his greatest challenge as a writer
  • Lightning round:   Chocolate or pistachio / fall or spring / Star Trek or StarWars / dogs or llamas ) listen for his answers!
  • I ask about the dark fiction press he edits for in LA.
  • Shout-outs and ADVICE to writers!
  • Johnnyworthen.com
  • Flame Tree Publishing

Laurel Stuff:

I always seem to find author L.V. Ditchkus‘s Sasquatch at conferences! Here at the RMFW Conference where I attended Johnny’s workshop!

Find my other work here!

Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Author Interview Books Writing

How About a Cozy Murder Mystery?

“The Last Hurrah: A Phoebe Korneal Mystery” by Judilee Butler & GaGa Gabardi fills the bill!

Jean (aka GaGa) Gabardi and Judy Butler, authors . . . friends!
Visit with us here on YouTube!
The audio-only version of our visit!

Show Notes with Links:

  • Judilee (Judy) Butler and Jean (GaGa) Gabardi have co-authored a cozy murder mystery series in a place I recognize!
  • Gaga and Judy tell us a bit about themselves.
  • We get an ELEVATOR PITCH for The Last Hurrah, book 1 of their series.
  • They discuss why and how they wrote the first book.
  • CCWritersExhange has benefitted both authors (and we encourage everyone to join this supportive writing group!)
  • We talk about collaborating with other authors and what their roles were in developing/writing this ongoing story.
  • We learn what makes a murder mystery cozy.
  • Judy and Jean discuss the research they did to make Oresville (Leadville!) feel real.
Judy and Jean in action!
Watch the trailer!

Laurel Stuff:

Meanwhile, I’m working on a new science fiction novel! Here I am with authors L.V. Ditchkus and Jean (GaGa) Gabardi during a Salida Art Walk event!

Find my other work here!

Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Author Interview Books Writing

New York Times Best-Selling Author David L. Robbins Discusses “Isaac’s Beacon” and Writing Craft!

Author, teacher, historian David L. Robbins

What a treat is was to visit with and learn from David L. Robbins on January 10, 2023! Here’s a link to our visit on YouTube:

Here is the edited audio-only version of our visit!

Show Notes and Links:

  • David tells us what he’d like us to know about him after I suggest every aspiring and accomplished writer should read Isaac’s Beacon to learn writing craft.
  • He discusses the importance of writing as an art form.
  • He gives us the “elevator pitch” for Isaac’s Beacon (I give him 5 floors!)
  • I ask him why he wrote this book, the first in what will be a 5-book series called “The Promised Wars.” (The Shortest Road will be released on May 2, 2023, available for pre-order now)
  • He talks about what it was like to be raised by two WWII Veterans, and how his father and mother ended up together (a fascinating story!)
  • David reads Chapter 1 of “Isaac’s Beacon” and we discuss dialogue, subtext, Absolute Truth and Profound Truth.
  • We talk about character development and the limited use of interiority (because we both agree it cheats the reader!)
David L. Robbins
  • We talk about censorship and swearing and his decision to stop swearing.
  • I ask the same question his character Mrs. Pappel asks about being “too brave,” and David answers.
  • He talks about “Terror Management Theory” and The Worm at the Core.
  • He discusses his views about marketing and I talk about purchasing his book.
  • Does he unwind? Listen to his answer!
I met David (beardless!) at the 2022 RMFW Conference where he was a Keynote speaker. We stand in front of author L.V. Ditchkus’ Sasquatch banner!

YOU MUST READ “ISAAC’S BEACON”!

Laurel Stuff:

Meanwhile, I’m working on a new science fiction novel with tidbits from my time as a cadet at West Point! (My senior photo)

Find my other work here!

Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!