My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Jim Gulledge, author of the book Green Forest, Red Eath, Blue Sea. Jim Gulledge is the author of A Poor Man’s Supper. The novella was selected for inclusion in the North Carolina Collection at UNC-Chapel Hill and the W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection at Appalachian State University. Over the course of his academic training, Dr. Gulledge earned an A.B. degree in Christian education from Pfeiffer University, an M.A. in English from Clemson University and a DMin in theological studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. His career highlights included participation in the Adult Development Institute at Harvard University, the Fulbright German Administrators Exchange Program and the C.S Lewis Summer Residence program in Oxford, England. A life-long resident of the Carolinas, Jim and his wife, Linda, enjoy visiting with their four children and son-in-law and daily life with their miniature schnauzer, Luka.

In my book review, I stated Green Forest, Red Earth, Blue Sea is a beautiful Southern fiction set of short stories. I fell instantly in love with these stories that take place in the state I call home - North Carolina. Each of the three stories takes place in a different part of the state and follow three connected families. The stories, though they take place during different times and in different places, stay connected through a family heirloom.

Unlike most books I enjoy this one has many varied characters, so there isn't one character to fall in love with. Instead, readers fall in love with place. And Jim did an excellent job helping readers come to love North Carolina, from the green hills of the mountains to the red clay of the piedmont to the sandy shores of the ocean. I also enjoyed discovering how each family connected with one another and how they managed to cover the state in a few generations.

We start in the mountains as trains bring change - meeting two young lovers whose time together is fleeting. Next, we find ourselves saving peaches from a deadly spring freeze. Can this couple eek out a living in the clay? The last story asks us to cheer for an orphan boy and the chance to find buried treasure against the backdrop of a tropical storm. And finally, catch a quick glimpse of a story yet to be told when a boy from the beach glimpses a girl from the mountains - and we feel that it will all start again.

Jim tells a delightful series of stories, and you won't want to miss this book. It would make a great gift for any NC native!

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My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Danny Limny-Schmitt, author of the book 10 Little Rules for Understanding America. Danny works at NREL leading prize competitions for entrepreneurs and students in the American-Made Challenges program, while also serving as the Principal Investigator of the U.S. Utility Rate Database.

In his previous roles at NREL and work in graduate school, he led and supported urban science and sustainable transportation research. He seeks to integrate his skills in the geospatial sciences, research in urban environments, and entrepreneurial networks to build a career focused on sustainability in the energy and/or transportation sectors.

He has an enduring interest in better understanding the spatial dimensions of the current economic and sociopolitical challenges, and has traveled to all 3,144 counties in the United States in an attempt to better understand the country he calls home.

In my book review, I stated 10 Little Rules for Understanding America is an inspirational memoir you won't want to miss. Danny has visited every county in the United States (3,000+) including those found in Alaska and Hawaii! Why? He wanted to explore what made America tick. In the process, he learned a lot about how where a person lives affects what they believe about politics, social norms, religion, and more.

Do you have to see every county to get something from his rules? Absolutely not! His rules are perfect for anyone who wants to understand this great country we live in as well as the people who populate it. For instance, the rule Say Hello to Strangers can help any traveler understand just a bit more about those around them, and the rule to Take the Road Less Traveled can help you be more than a tourist.

I also loved how Danny recognized his own biases and continues to work hard to eliminate them. In today's world, his idea that there are good people on both sides of an argument is refreshing - and much needed. The best part is that he gives guided questions at the end of each chapter to help you develop your own rules for understanding America.

Don't miss this book!

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My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Jenn Todling, author of the book Dancing on My Own Two Feet. Jenn is an author, speaker, executive coach, and adjunct instructor at the University of Denver. With over twenty years in global professional services and more than a decade as an ICF-certified executive coach, she helps leaders integrate head and heart—bringing purpose, presence, and humanity back to the workplace. Jenn lives near her hometown of Boulder, Colorado, with her husband (and dance partner) and young daughter. Her memoir Dancing on My Own Two Feet was recognized as a 2025 NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite in the Motivational category.

In my book review, I stated Dancing on My Own Two Feet is a memoir by Jenn Todling. Although we meet Jenn as a child, the bulk of the story begins when she decides to get married as a freshman in college and concludes when she finally discovers how to stay true to herself. I love a memoir that shows a woman who gains confidence in herself and learns how to ask for what she needs - and Dancing on My Own Two Feet delivers.

Jenn explores relationships - what makes them good, what makes them not-so-good, and what is needed to stay in one to work through the tough times. She also looks at the caregiver role women often find themselves in, self-care, emotional abuse, and even the idea of a soulmate and whether such a thing really exists.

Throughout it all, Jenn talks about dancing and traveling - two of her passions she almost let go in order to appease. I enjoyed seeing both through her eyes and how her experiences changed as she became more confident in herself. Add this to your TBR!

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#jentodling #dancingonmyowntwofeet #memoir #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

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My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Kenda Saldana, author of the book Shades Between Reality and the Dream. Kendra Saldana is an author of literary fiction who likes to joke about being born and raised in the South Bronx but civilized by attending college in Virginia. Specifically, Norfolk State University. She admits to being a college dropout like Kanye West. Yet, Kendra credits those years spent studying journalism at the HBCU as essential to honing her craft and writing style. She loves character-driven stories that connect to the readers so strongly they become flesh and blood. Shades Between Reality and the Dream is Kendra's first novel.

In my book review, I stated Shades Between Reality and Dream is a romance by Kendra Saldana. However, it isn't just any romance. Instead, we are thrust into the social divides of racism and classism and what happens when men and women refuse to stay within the confines of these borders.

This is a wonderful multigenerational story that explores racism and classism from the 1950s to present day - and gives the reader a glimpse into lives that may be quite unlike their own. We start with a wealthy white man who has a child with a black servant. Is it love? We move to his child - who although half black, can pass as a white man. Will he? Should he? Does he? And then there is the socialite who marries beneath her station. Does her new husband want help of his newly acquired family? Do they give it willingly? Can the two find a way to bridge the divide? And then it comes full circle as these two families collide.

Throughout the book, the reader faces prejudice on all sides and must start looking at their own life and feelings to determine where they fit in the puzzle. I suspect that is exactly what Kendra was hoping to achieve. It is a beautiful love story - with all the ups and downs. But more importantly, it is a social commentary. Don't miss this one!

Author Note: There is quite a bit of sexual content in this book. Skipping over these scenes does not substantially change the book.

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FB: @bxwriter

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#kendrasaldana #shadesbetweenrealityandthedream #romance #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

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My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Brent Lindstrom , author of the book One for the Money, Two for the Soul. Having lived in Utah most of his life, you might say that he’s known a lot of Christians. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He love a good adventure novel or movie, but frustrations over content have influenced him to write adult type novels without the annoying sex and profanity that litter so many books today.

He’s always enjoyed a good book, and he’s enjoyed writing. At this time, he’s only able to write part time. Some day, when he’s had enough fun at his day job, he might hope to make storytelling more of a career. His ambitions are currently to write about one novel per year. Then hopefully as more people come to enjoy them, he’ll shift gears and start a production studio, bringing all his stories to the big screen. So many people get stuck doing something their whole lives that they aren't passionate about. He says "Live your dreams!"

In my book review, I stated One for the Money, Two for the Soul effectively combines fantasy and suspense. Although these are not usually my 'go-to' genres, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and believe you will, too! We quickly meet Winnie, a whimsical child full of curiosity and imagination. Unfortunately, she becomes the latest casualty in a soul-snatcher's plot. But the plot runs awry, snatching only half - the logical half - of Winnie's soul. The rest of the story follows Winnie and the recipient of the logic, Garm. The two halves couldn't be more different - and yet, both realize they are missing something needful. The evil doctor is working on how to put souls into new bodies with a memory intact - as a way to live on forever. An assassin is actively working against the doctor. Garm and Winnie find themselves in the middle, along with others they meet along the way. This novel is filled with whimsy and suspense, allowing the reader to both laugh out loud and turn the pages to find out what happens next. A must-read!

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Website: https://www.bluehpublishing.com/

FB: @LightMindedArts

IG: @lightmindedarts

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#brentlindstrom #oneforthemoneytwoforthesoul #fantasy #suspense #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

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My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Holly Brough, author of the book The Name I Choose. Award-winning author, Holly Brough didn't enjoy reading until she was an adult. Diagnosed with dyslexia, it wasn’t until high school when a religious teacher told her if she read the scriptures every day, she would get over her dyslexia. She read faithfully every night. By the time her first child came along, reading had become a favorite past time.

At the age of 19, Holly was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Over the years as her body deteriorated, she learned to reinvent herself by trying new things and finding new passions. Though writing a book never made her bucket list, after three children, a bonus daughter and granddaughter, she decided to give it a try when she had a unique experience driving on the freeway. A scene play out in her mind that was both intriguing and discomforting. After studying family names, family history, countries, etc she decided her story needed to go back two generations and start with the grandmother. The Name I Choose, her first novel, was published in May of 2022.

In my book review, I stated The Name I Choose by Holly Brough is a historical fiction set in 1823 Spain. We meet Amalia, a 15-year-old girl being sold off by her parents to become a servant so they can acquire land. Amalia is devastated to leave her family, especially her baby brother, Thomas, especially when she learns she will never be allowed to return - even for a visit.

Between her new master's ruthlessness and her own naivete, Amalia's life becomes more and more complicated until she finds herself running from her situation and the law until she lands in Menorca.

She meets many people along the way - good and bad - and each have a hand in teaching Amalia about life, but more importantly, about herself. When independence comes calling, will she be able to grasp it or will she still see herself as nothing but a lowly serving girl with too many mistakes to forgive?

Holly did a great job with all the characters. I loved Amalia, though I wanted to shake her at times. I feared Manuel and urged her to get as far away from his as possible. I enjoyed the banter between the naval officers. And I loved those people Amalia befriended and how they helped one another despite the overbearing patriarchal society. It's a must-read.

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Website: www.hollybrough-tnic.com

IG: @hcnbrough_art

IG: @h_brough

FB: @Hcnbrough

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My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Wendy Dale, owner of Memoir Writing for Geniuses and author of The Memoir Engineering System. We are chatting about writing memoirs. Ever hear the phrase “Just write” or “Write a crappy first draft”? Author Wendy Dale is leading a revolution to destroy this common writing maxim. What should you do instead? Make your first draft your final draft.

She believes that crafting a memoir is like learning any other skill. No one would hand a person a flute and tell them, “Just play until you figure it out.” Instead, you need to learn the concepts that go into crafting a great memoir.

Wendy spent fifteen years reading thousands of imperfect manuscripts in order to figure out the components that make all memoirs work. The result is the book The Memoir Engineering System, which was just published, January 2025! Wendy is also creating the world’s first reality show for writers, “Write or Flight,” based in Peru.

Wendy is a seasoned memoir-writing coach whose clients have come from Entertainment Weekly, the New York Post, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Simon & Schuster, Seal Press, Wiley, NBC, National Geographic Wild, and Nickelodeon.

The author of the memoir Avoiding Prison and Other Noble Vacation Goals (Three Rivers Press/Penguin Random House), Wendy lives with her husband and two bunnies in Cusco, Peru.

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You can follow Author Wendy Dale, owner of Memoir Writing for Geniuses about writing memoirs.

Website: https://www.geniusmemoirwriting.com/

FB: @memoirwritingforgeniuses

LinkedIn: @writerwendydale

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My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Patrick Naughton, Jr, author of the book Born from War. Originally from Hawaii, Patrick is a United States (US) Army officer and a Military Historian. He is currently teaching at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS.

He received the Army’s General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award in 2012. He has had unique opportunities to serve as an Interagency Fellow with the Department of Labor, a Legislative Liaison to the US Senate, and a Congressional Partnership Program Fellow with the Partnership for a Secure America - all in Washington, D.C. He also served as a Senior Leadership Fellow with the Center for Junior Officers at West Point.

He holds a Master of Military Arts and Science degree in History from the US Army Command and General Staff College, where he was an Art of War Scholar. He also holds a Master of Science in Crisis and Emergency Management and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History both from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he was an Army ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate.

He has published in several venues, but his first book “Born From War: A Soldier’s Quest to Understand Vietnam, Iraq, and the Generational Impact of Conflict” was released in April 2025. The views expressed in those publications and this website are his own and not of the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense, or any agency of the US Government.

He is forever thankful for the support of his lovely wife, Sheila and their beautiful son, Tommy.

In my book review, I stated Born from War is an incredible memoir that looks at the author's time in Iraq compared to his father's time in Vietnam. Despite the decades between the wars and the many differing circumstances, Patrick found astounding similarities. These similarities helped him to understand his father and 'his father's war' in ways he never thought possible.

I found it very interesting that without identifiers giving me the what or when, many of the author's recollections could have been swapped with his father's. It makes me wonder if the same would be true for those who fought in WWII or Korea or any modern conflict - and if so, what do we need to learn as a people about war and what it does to soldiers and to civilians living with the consequences.

Despite 'lessons learned' from Vietnam, it appears some things do not change. Can they? Should they? And how do we get those in charge to understand what is actually happening on the front lines?

I enjoyed this book and feel like I know a bit more about Vietnam, Iraq, and the soldiers who are willing to fight for their country - even when the goals are nebulous.

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Website: https://www.patnaughton.com/

X: @PatrickMilHis

FB: @patrick.naughton.37

IG: @patricknaugh

LinkedIn: Patrick Naughton

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