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Spicy Romances and Multicultural Connections: An Interview with Diana Rock

Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast

Release Date: 01/20/2025

Liver, Life & Survival show art Liver, Life & Survival

Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast

In this powerful episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast, host Jed Lee sits down with John Hoffman, author of "Liver: My Journey of Transplant Survival," to share an extraordinary story of medical resilience, hope, and personal transformation. Diagnosed with biliary atresia at just eight weeks old, Hoffman underwent his first experimental liver transplant in 1981 when liver transplants for infants were still a groundbreaking procedure. Growing up with a massive surgical scar and daily medications, he navigated childhood with remarkable normalcy, participating in sports and...

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Imagination Unleashed: Marie Nichols and the Power of Grandparent-Grandchild Bonds show art Imagination Unleashed: Marie Nichols and the Power of Grandparent-Grandchild Bonds

Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast

Discover the Heartwarming World of Intergenerational Storytelling with Marie Nichols In the latest episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with debut children's author Marie Nichols to explore the magical world of "We're Going to the Dinosaur Forest" - a book that celebrates the unique bond between grandparents and grandchildren. Marie Nichols takes listeners on a delightful journey behind her first children's book, inspired by real-life adventures with her grandson Bracken. The book follows a young boy's imaginative expedition into the dinosaur forest...

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Crafting Nightmares: JJ Allo's Literary Landscape show art Crafting Nightmares: JJ Allo's Literary Landscape

Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast

Dive into the Spine-Chilling World of Connecticut Horror: An Exclusive Interview with J J Alo Horror fans, get ready for a thrilling journey into the creative mind behind "The Street Between the Pines"! In this captivating episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with debut horror author J J Alo to explore the dark and fascinating origins of his first novel. Alo's gripping story follows a struggling Gulf War veteran who uncovers a terrifying connection between a deadly creature and an abandoned facility - a premise that will send shivers down your spine....

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"Between Hearts: Judy Humphrey's Resilient Journey"

Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast

In a captivating episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, Judy Humphrey shares her remarkable life story through her memoir "Between Hearts," a testament to resilience, humor, and personal growth. Humphrey's journey begins during the pandemic, when she decided to transform her extraordinary life experiences into a book. A former military wife who moved 17 times in 14 years, she offers a unique perspective on the challenges faced by military families. Her candid storytelling reveals the often-overlooked experiences of military spouses, particularly the strict social hierarchies and...

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Free to Be Me: Supporting Teens Through Challenging Times with Tara Hubbard show art Free to Be Me: Supporting Teens Through Challenging Times with Tara Hubbard

Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast

Empowering Children Through Positive Affirmations: A Conversation with Author Tara Hubbard In this inspiring episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with pharmacist and author Tara Hubbard to discuss her transformative books that help children and teens build self-confidence and resilience through positive affirmations. Hubbard's first book, "Let the Sun Shine In," targets elementary school children, offering a unique approach to transforming negative thoughts into powerful, uplifting statements. Illustrated by a local Daisy Troupe, the book provides...

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Janaya Hernandez Reveals the Essential Networking Playbook for Aspiring Professionals show art Janaya Hernandez Reveals the Essential Networking Playbook for Aspiring Professionals

Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast

  Here is a 300 word, SEO-optimized summary of the episode in a friendly, casual style: Networking: The Secret Skill That Can Unlock Your Career Success In this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with Janaya Hernandez, author of "The Power of Connections: A Mentee's Guide to Networking Mastery." The two dive deep into the importance of networking and why it's a skill that should be taught in schools. Janaya explains that networking isn't just about finding a job - it's about building genuine, purposeful connections that can benefit you...

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The Enchanting Tales of Edward Ahern: Connecting Generations through Literature show art The Enchanting Tales of Edward Ahern: Connecting Generations through Literature

Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast

Dive into the enchanting world of fairy tales with author Edward Ahern on the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast! In this captivating episode, Jed Doherty welcomes Edward to discuss his latest anthology, "The Wilch Made Me Do It," a delightful collection that blends retold classics with modern whimsical tales. Edward shares the inspiration behind his anthology, revealing his fascination with unearthing long-forgotten fairy tales from the 1800s and breathing new life into them. From Russian folktales to Native American stories, he's carefully curated a diverse array of tales, some of which he's...

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Turning Adversity Into Advocacy show art Turning Adversity Into Advocacy

Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast

Wow, what an incredible life story Ron Pinciaro has! I really enjoyed chatting with him about his memoir, "Acknowledgement." It's clear he's been through a lot - from the secrets surrounding his parents' adoptions to the ups and downs of his 17-year life cycles.  One thing that stood out to me was Ron's fondness for his Jesuit high school education. Like me, he really appreciated how the Jesuits encouraged questioning and intellectual curiosity. That seems to have served him well, even when he was struggling to figure out his path in life. It was fascinating to hear about Ron's early...

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Connecticutt's Crime Trio show art Connecticutt's Crime Trio

Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast

Get ready true crime fans, because the CT Book Festivals podcast is bringing you an inside look at the "Connecticut Crime Trio" - three amazing authors who are experts in the world of thrilling crime stories.  We've got Deborah Levison, author of the true crime book "The Crate" which delves into a shocking discovery on her family's property with ties to the Holocaust. Then there's TM Dunn, whose psychological thriller "Her Father's Daughter" explores the twisted mind of a serial killer. And rounding out the trio is Wendy Whitman, a former TV crime reporter whose novels "Premonition" and...

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Unraveling the Mysteries of Green Haven with Luca DiMatteo show art 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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More Episodes

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 Scottish-Latino) add an extra layer of complexity to their relationship. "Love is love, and it doesn't matter what your ancestry is," Diana explains. "If the love is true and pure, that's what matters most." She delves into the real-world research she conducted to authentically portray Tulsi's adoptive Indian family and Lucas' traditional Latino family, and how those cultural clashes create conflict and drama for the couple. As a longtime romance reader herself, Diana knows what makes a great love story tick. Compelling characters, a well-developed plot, and steamy, but not overly graphic, intimate scenes are all key ingredients. And for Diana, it's important that her heroines have agency and independence, rather than playing the traditional "damsel in distress" role. Listeners also get a sneak peek at Diana's next project - a crime fiction series with romantic elements, drawing on her 40+ years of experience working in laboratories. With a diverse cast of characters and a forensic twist, it's sure to be another captivating read from this talented Connecticut author. Whether you're a lifelong romance fan or just discovering the genre, this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast is a must-listen for anyone who loves stories of love, passion, and finding happily ever after.