Blending Fact and Fiction: Neil P Randle's Spy Trilogy Explores Pivotal Moments in History
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
Release Date: 01/14/2025
Unraveling the Mysteries of Green Haven with Luca DiMatteo
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
Get ready to uncover the treasures of Connecticut's thriving literary landscape on the CT Book Festivals podcast! In this captivating episode, host Jed Doherty welcomes Luca DiMatteo, the author of the gripping mystery novel "Green Haven." Luca shares his inspiring journey, revealing how writing became a lifeline after a severe back injury forced him to retire from his medical career. As he navigates this new chapter, Luca has poured his passion into the Connecticut Book Festivals, a growing community of over 250 talented authors. Listeners will be enthralled as Luca delves into the...
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Timeless Love In A Time Of War
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
n this captivating episode of the CT Book Festivals podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with Lisa Franco, the author of the acclaimed book "My Dearest Darling: Letters of Love in Wartime." Lisa's journey to uncover this remarkable piece of history is nothing short of extraordinary. It all began when Lisa, a self-proclaimed "naturally curious journalist," stumbled upon a treasure trove of World War II-era letters in the basement of an antique store on Cape Cod. As she delved into the beautifully written correspondence between a young naval officer, Donald, and his sweetheart, Marjorie, she was...
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White Wife, Blue Baby
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
Dive into the Powerful Story of "White Wife, Blue Baby" on the CT Book Festivals Podcast If you're a book lover looking to discover incredible authors and stories from the Nutmeg State, the CT Book Festivals podcast is a must-listen. In this captivating episode, host Jed Doherty welcomes Gail Howard, author of the poignant memoir "White Wife, Blue Baby." Gail takes us back to 1968 Chicago, where she and her husband bravely chose to marry across the color line, despite the societal pressures and fears they faced. Jed is amazed by their courage, as interracial couples were often met with...
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Recalibrating Gravity, The Inspiring Story of Mary Keating
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
We kick off this episode of the Connecticut Book Festival Podcast by welcoming author Mary Keating to discuss her powerful memoir in verse, "Recalibrating Gravity." As a lifelong Connecticut resident, Mary's story is a true testament to the vibrant literary community in the state. From the very beginning, it's clear that Mary's life has been anything but ordinary. As a New Year's baby, her entrance into the world was nothing short of miraculous. But as Mary shares, her life has been filled with both unexpected challenges and profound moments of grace. After a devastating car accident...
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Spicy Romances and Multicultural Connections: An Interview with Diana Rock
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
In this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with romance author Diana Rock to discuss her latest book, Chelsea's Flame, the steamy third installment in her Colby County Veterinary series. As a self-proclaimed "modern woman's romance author," Diana shares how she crafts her stories around strong, independent heroines who aren't afraid to go after what they want - both in life and in love. Chelsea's Flame follows the romance between veterinarian Tulsi Anthony and the charming Lucas Campbell, whose multicultural backgrounds (she's Indian-American, he's...
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Blending Fact and Fiction: Neil P Randle's Spy Trilogy Explores Pivotal Moments in History
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
Get ready to uncover the secrets behind bestselling author Neil P Randle's captivating spy thriller trilogy on the latest episode of the CT Book Festivals Podcast. Host Jed Doherty welcomes Randle to discuss his journey from a 60-year-old first-time writer to a celebrated author of page-turning espionage tales. Randle shares how his lifelong love of spy movies and novels inspired him to put pen to paper, creating a heroine named Stephanie who is the polar opposite of his own introverted personality. Listeners will be fascinated to learn how Randle carefully crafted his characters, taking...
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Discovering Family, Embracing Love: Margaret Walker's Search for Her Roots
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
Join us on the Connecticut Book Festival Podcast as we welcome the remarkable Margaret Walker, author of the captivating memoir Ninzi's Secret. Margaret's journey is one of triumph, resilience, and the power of family - both found and forged. From her impressive career as Xerox Corporation's Chief Trademark Counsel, protecting the iconic Xerox brand, to her deeply personal quest to uncover her own roots, Margaret's story is a tapestry of unique experiences. She shares how her lifelong curiosity about her biological parents led her on a pre-internet age search, piecing together clues and...
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From Jam Bands to Thrillers: A Conversation with Author L.M. Pampuro
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
On this episode of Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, we get to meet L.M. Pampuro, the author of the thrilling "Harlots" series. L.M. credits the state's natural beauty, creative community, and even the colleges for fostering so many amazing writers. She should know, since her own household is brimming with creativity, with her musician husband and son. L.M. gave us the scoop on her "Harlots" books, which follow the badass FBI agent Alia Price as she takes on a web of corruption and drug labs. Alia is quite the opposite of the self-proclaimed "total wimp" that is L.M. - but the...
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Tammy Gerhard Is Cultivating Community Through Coffee and Kindness
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
Grab a cozy cup of cocoa (or coffee if that's your thing!) and get ready for an inspiring chat with Tammy Gerhard, the author of the delightful children's books "Cocoa Hugs and Coffee Mugs" and her new "I Love My Community" activity book. Tammy joined us to share the story behind this heartwarming tale and talk about her mission to spread kindness and empathy through her work. Tammy's book follows a young girl who loves cocoa but isn't a fan of coffee - sound familiar? The story explores how she learns to show love and acceptance to the people around her, even when they don't see eye-to-eye....
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Revelations of the Ordinary: Lee Paine Shares Stories of the Extraordinary
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
If you've ever had a profound, unexplainable experience that felt like a message from the divine, you'll want to check out this conversation with author Lee Paine. Paine's new book "Extraordinary Revelations to Ordinary People" explores the real-life stories of 24 people, including Paine herself, who have had these types of extraordinary revelations. As Paine explains, an extraordinary revelation is an experience that comes from outside of yourself and leaves a deep, personal message. These can include encounters with Jesus, visions, deja vu, and religious conversions - the kind of things that...
info_outlineGet ready to uncover the secrets behind bestselling author Neil P Randle's captivating spy thriller trilogy on the latest episode of the CT Book Festivals Podcast. Host Jed Doherty welcomes Randle to discuss his journey from a 60-year-old first-time writer to a celebrated author of page-turning espionage tales.
Randle shares how his lifelong love of spy movies and novels inspired him to put pen to paper, creating a heroine named Stephanie who is the polar opposite of his own introverted personality. Listeners will be fascinated to learn how Randle carefully crafted his characters, taking advice from thriller masters like Dan Brown to ensure each player brought a unique dynamic to the story.
But Randle's creative process didn't stop there. With the help of his insightful editor, he was able to overcome writer's block and reimagine the trilogy's central hero, turning an eccentric scientist into the main protagonist for the final book. Randle's willingness to evolve his vision resulted in a captivating alternate history that seamlessly blends fact and fiction around pivotal moments like the fall of the Berlin Wall and Nelson Mandela's rise to power.
As Randle bids farewell to his beloved characters, he shares the bittersweet experience of letting them go, especially the complex villains that readers love to hate. Listeners will be inspired by Randle's charitable approach, with all proceeds from his books benefiting cancer research in honor of loved ones.
Whether you're a lifelong fan of spy thrillers or simply enjoy discovering new literary talents, this episode of the CT Book Festivals Podcast is a must-listen for anyone who loves being transported into the high-stakes world of international espionage.