Eric joined me in studio the day before the book release to tell his story and to talk about the book, the crazy world of Hollywood and (randomly) laundry!

Intrigued?  You should be.  If you already an Eric Jerome Dickey – you’ll want to get to know him better and hear right from the man, where he gets his ideas…

If Eric Jerome Dickey is a new author you, don’t be fooled by the pretty pink cover.  This book is as gritty and fast-paced as they come.

As always, I hope you enjoy the interview… and be sure to check out the rest of the author interview series on iTunes!

PS – Here’s a little quiz for you… which of the following jobs do you think Eric Jerome Dickey has had in his career?*

a) cook
b) software engineer
c) substitute teacher
d) all of the above

*For the answer, you’ll have to listen to the interview!  (Of course!!)

New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James already lives a double life. She is both the beloved and bestselling romance author Eloisa James AND Professor Mary Bly who teaches Shakespeare at Fordham University and has degrees from Oxford, Harvard and Yale.

But now Eloisa is taking on a third role – that of memoirist. Her new book is called PARIS IN LOVE and it is the story of a year she and her family spent in Paris.

The book will in turn have you laughing, hoping for love for Florent, wanting to meet Milo the dog, and wishing you were as chic as the french women Eloisa encounters.  It will also make you hungry!  There is plenty of chocolate in this one, along with tucked away French bistros and interesting groceries and markets.

If you think uprooting your life and moving to Paris would be a challenge – imagine what it was like for Eloisa’s kids, who had to go to school and learn in a foreign language (or two!).

You may already feel like you know and love Eloisa from reading her romance novels, but after reading PARIS IN LOVE,  you will wonder why she’s not calling you to meet for lunch!

It was a pleasure talking to Eloisa for this interview and the best part is I got an update on all the friends and family I had to say goodbye to at the end of the book!

As always, I hope you enjoy the interview!  Be sure to check out the rest of the author interview series on iTunes!  AND — if your’re in Miami you can meet Eloisa tonight at Books & Books or tomorrow at Florida International University.  If you’re in Atlanta, Eloisa will be in town this Saturday making two stops, one at the Alpharetta Barnes & Noble at 2:00PM, and then at Foxtale Books in Woodstock, at 6PM!  For a full listing of Eloisa’s appearances, check her website!

Here at Midtown Review, we love watching an author’s career take off… and that is just what has happened with Brad Taylor.  When he visited last year for the an interview about his debut novel ONE ROUGH MAN, I knew he was going to be big.  And I was right… ONE ROUGH MAN, the first in the Pike Logan series became an instant New York Times and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller!  Can Midtown Review take credit for that?  Er, well… probably not, but I’m still proud of Brad’s success and thrilled that he was willing to come back for an interview about his new book ALL NECESSARY FORCE.

ALL NECESSARY FORCE picks up the story of Pike Logan and Jennifer Cahill not too long after we left them at the end of ONE ROUGH MAN.  Pike is not going back to work for the Taskforce directly, but he is going to work with them, as part of a cover organization he and Jennifer are setting up.  She’s getting trained to be a serious ass-kicker and having a hard time gaining the respect and trust of the veteran Taskforce members as she and Pike start working on getting their new business up and running.

Before the pair can really get too much done in terms of the cover organization they find themselves up against a terrorist plot to get ahold of and possibly use some nasty weapons on American soil.  As with the first book, Brad masterfully weaves his expertise with military operations and international politics with the moral and ethical and personal dilemmas that come with using force.  Forget the “sophomore slump”ALL NECESSARY FORCE is another page turner!

Check out my interview with Brad where we talk in detail about women kicking ass, about the some of the moral and ethical challenges AND about some of the cool weapons and technology in the book.  Of course Brad also gives us a sneak peek into Book 3 and what’s next for Pike and Jennifer!

Joshilyn is one of our favorite authors here at Midtown Review, and I for one, can’t wait to start reading this one.  Here’s the description of A GROWN UP KIND OF PRETTY from Joshilyn’s website - or even better listen to Joshilyn describe the book and bring the characters to life in my most recent interview with her.

As with all the Midtown Review podcasts, this one also contains a sneak peek of what Joshilyn is working on next!

As always, I hope you enjoy the interview!  And be sure to check out the rest of the author interview series on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

Want to know how Sue comes up with her titles?  If she always planned to write 26 novels?  Why she kept Kinsey in the 80′s and the amount of research she now has to do to be true to the time period? We talked about it all, as well as digging into some of the themes and details in V IS FOR VENGEANCE.  As it turns out, the frank and funny Ms. Grafton is a big fan of vengeance.  She says forgiveness is fine, but vengeance is far more satisfying!

If you’re a fan of the series, I know you’ll enjoy the interview and the book.  Be sure to check out our interviews with some other great mystery writers in our podcast series on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

To that end, last week I shared my interview with Amy Waldman, and this week it is my pleasure to bring you another “rising literary voice”, Mary Glickman.

Mary says she has always been a writer, but her personal story of perseverance should inspire would-be novelists everywhere. (Especially this month – what with NaNo WriMo and all!)  After writing 6 novels that did not get published… Mary finally made her debut last year with HOME IN THE MORNING.  Her second book which ONE MORE RIVER is a sequel of sorts in that it is the story of one of the minor characters from HOME IN THE MORNING.

Mary and I had the chance to sit down for a quick interview after our onstage performance at the Book Festival of the MJCCA.  We chatted about both books and Mary’s personal journey.  As always, I hope you enjoy the interview (and will check out the rest of the podcast series available on iTunes)!

Oh – and if you’re in Atlanta, there’s still time to be a part of some of the wonderful Book Festival programming.  Check out http://www.atlantajcc.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=SE-BookFestival for details!

This year I was honored to moderate a conversation called Rising Literary Voices which featured Mary Glickman, (HOME IN THE MORNING) and Amy Waldman (THE SUBMISSION).  Both Mary and Amy were kind enough to sit down with me backstage to share some insight into their work. Today’s interview is with Amy – and stay tuned for my talk with Mary which will air next week.

THE SUBMISSION which came out in August of this year is the story of an attempt to select a design for a memorial in the wake of a terrorist attack in New York City.  Submissions for the design are reviewed by a jury with no names attached and when the winning design is chosen and the name of the designer is revealed, it turns out that he is a Muslim American named Mohammed Khan.  The book focuses on six main characters that are all deeply affected by the controversy that ensues.

When Amy and I sat down, we talked about how she chose the six points of views to share, what kind of audience reaction she’s been getting and how she managed to cut her original manuscript of 800 pages down to the final 320.  We also dug into some of the characters in the book in detail and I even learned that one of the male characters in the book started out as a woman!  If you’re reading THE SUBMISSION for book club (which you definitely should!) you’ll definitely want to check out the interview to hear from Amy directly on some of these topics.

As always, I hope you enjoy the interview and will check out the rest of the author interview series on iTunes.

And if you’re in Atlanta and wondering if you missed all The Book Festival goodness… not to worry… there is plenty of great programming still to come.  Just go to the MJCCA website for details and tickets!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

For starters, it has all the right ingredients; love, sex, immortality, history, royalty, alchemy, violence – and that’s just in the first couple pages.  Kidding.  But seriously, even though you may think you know these ingredients and have tasted this cake before… trust me, you haven’t.  Alma manages to mix these ingredients up in a whole new way, creating a delicious page turning novel that will keep you up at night and make you long for more.

Want more details?  Here’s the publisher’s summary of the book:  

True love can last an eternity . . . but immortality comes at a price. . . .

On the midnight shift at a hospital in rural Maine, Dr. Luke Findley is expecting another quiet evening of frostbite and the occasional domestic dispute. But the minute Lanore McIlvrae—Lanny—walks into his ER, she changes his life forever. A mysterious woman with a past and plenty of dark secrets, Lanny is unlike anyone Luke has ever met. He is inexplicably drawn to her . . . despite the fact that she is a murder suspect with a police escort. And as she begins to tell her story, a story of enduring love and consummate betrayal that transcends time and mortality, Luke finds himself utterly captivated.

Her impassioned account begins at the turn of the nineteenth century in the same small town of St. Andrew, Maine, back when it was a Puritan settlement. Consumed as a child by her love for the son of the town’s founder, Lanny will do anything to be with him forever. But the price she pays is steep—an immortal bond that chains her to a terrible fate for all eternity. And now, two centuries later, the key to her healing and her salvation lies with Dr. Luke Findley.

Part historical novel, part supernatural page-turner, The Taker is an unforgettable tale about the power of unrequited love not only to elevate and sustain, but also to blind and ultimately destroy, and how each of us is responsible for finding our own path to redemption.

And here’s what author Jamie Ford had to say: 

“This is a great book. And by great, I mean, devastatingly so, like reading The Scarlet Letter, while riding a roller coaster, on acid. Seductive, daring, soaring, and ultimately gut-wrenching, The Taker is a lush, historical rendering of transcendent love, paranormal beings, and the depths of pain that can be felt by immortal hearts.”

I couldn’t agree more.

Check out my interview with Alma to hear her talk about her inspiration for the book and share a few hints of what’s to come in the series!

Enjoy!  And be sure to check out the rest of the author interview series on iTunes…

Also, we’d love it if you’d take a moment to vote for the Midtown Review Podcast at http://podcastawards.com (in the Culture/Arts category).

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

Norris Church Mailer passed away last November at age 61.  She was a model, actress, writer, wife and mother who live the kind  of life most of us can only dream about.  And that’s saying a lot for a little girl who grew up in rural Arkansas.  A TICKET TO THE CIRCUS is the story of her life and her love affair with and marriage to Norman Mailer.  I had the privilege of interviewing Norris (and touring the Margaret Mitchell House with her) back in 2009 when she was in Atlanta for the hardcover release of the book.

The paperback, which came out this spring will make an excellent read for book clubs who are searching for a compelling memoir.  In the book, Norris was very forthcoming about the extramarital affairs Norman had and her subsequent decision to stay with him.  She was also quite up front and unapologetic about the way she chose to live her life.  It was this strength of spirit and character that I saw in Norris when I met her though she was clearly already physically in decline.

Not only was she strong, smart and beautiful, Norris was one of the warmest people I have ever met.  We chatted like old friends from the second we were introduced and when the interview was over she even gave me her phone number and said I should call her if I was ever in New York.  Sadly I didn’t get up there before she passed away, but I will always remember her fondly.

I hope you enjoy getting to know Norris as much as I did, and be sure to check out the rest of our author interview series on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

REIGN OF MADNESS tells the story of Juana, a royal who was never supposed to be Queen.  Sister to King Henry’s Catherine of Aragon, she was far down the line of succession and was raised to marry well but not to rule.  Alas through a series of untimely deaths, Juana did become Queen but the manipulating men in her life, her husband (Phillipe the Handsome) her father and even her son, made sure she was Queen in name only and that they held the real power.

Married at 16 to the hottie Phillipe, Juana was undone by her lust and it was used against her.  That said, the rumors of her madness were just that… rumors.  She was as sane as you and me and she paid dearly for her youthful mistakes.  I mean seriously, who hasn’t been hot for some dumb guy?

Lynn Cullen takes the story of Juana and digs behind the myth to the human story underneath.  As much as REIGN OF MADNESS is a historical novel illuminating a time in history that has piqued our curiosity, it is also a mother-daughter story and the story of a young girl struggling to stay afloat in a man’s world.  Book clubs will find much to discuss in the relationships in these pages just as Lynn and I found much to discuss when she came by our studios last week.

Of course we talked in detail about Juana and the other royals in the book, but we also dug into the relationships, talked about Lynn’s research and got a hint about what she’s working on next.

As always, I hope you enjoy the interview!  And be sure to check out the rest of the author interview series on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

Vinnie, as she was called by her friends, was a perfectly proportioned woman but in miniature.  She stood only 32 inches tall and was happy to trade on her size for fame and adventure.  Not unlike today’s reality stars who will trade on their addresses at the Jersey Shore or their famous parents in a similar way.

Vinne was married to P.T. Barnum’s protege General Tom Thumb who was only slightly taller than she and their wedding was so talked about and publicized it actually pushed the Civil War off the front pages of newspapers and captured the imagination of Americans on both sides of the conflict.

I know when I read about someone like Vinnie in passing in a book or when I am randomly stumbling around on the web, I think “Hmmmm… interesting…. I should read more about this person when I have some time,” but somehow I never do.  Author Melanie Benjamin is another story.  Particularly drawn to the Victorian era,  she seems happy to not only do the research for us, but also happy to fill in the blanks in her beautifully imagined novels that get at the heart of fascinating characters like Mrs. Tom Thumb (in her new book THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MRS. TOM THUMB) or Alice Liddell (in her earlier book ALICE I HAVE BEEN).

When our regular contributor Denise Neary did a post about Melanie and her books several weeks back, I didn’t realize that Melanie and I were actually connected in a former life.  Well not exactly a former life, but former parts of both of our lives!  We actually met several years ago when I owned and operated a bookstore in the Atlanta area called Coffee Buy The Book, and Melanie was writing under a different name!  As soon as I realized we knew each other, I got both books, started reading, and called Melanie to see if she was up for an interview.  She remembered me right away (phew – that could’ve been embarrassing), and agreed.

So, of course in the interview, we talk briefly about our shared past, but mostly about the books and the characters she so fully realizes in them.  And I did get the teensiest of hints regarding what she is working on next!

As always, I hope you enjoy the interview!  And be sure to check out the rest of the author interview series on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

In this interview we focused on BACKSEAT SAINTS and Rose Mae Lolly’s intersection with Arlene Fleet from GODS IN ALABAMA. By the way, Joshilyn says it really doesn’t matter which of the two books you read first.  In fact, even though she wrote GODS first, she almost thinks it’s better to read them the other way around!

We also chatted about the inspiration for the title, the mother-daughter relationship in the book and of course about the main character Rose Mae Lolly.

If you’ve already read SAINTS, you’ll definitely get some fresh insight, but you’ll also get a sneak peek at Joshilyn’s new book A GROWN UP KIND OF PRETTY which will be released this coming January!

As always, I hope you enjoy the interview!  And be sure to check out the rest of the author interview series on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

Ellie Calvin is well into her forties, her daughter has left for college and her controlling mother has just passed away.  Between all of that and her domineering, manipulative husband,  she sort of hits the wall and know that something’s got to give.  As she sorts through her mother’s things, she comes across a journal that reveals a side of her mother she never knew and sends her on a journey to uncover the truth.  It is the unraveling mystery in her mother’s past that keeps the pages turning but it is really the heart-wrenchingly honest thoughts and feelings that Ellie expresses that will keep you glued to this novel.  It is rare for an  author to tap into the real pain, confusion, and self-doubt that is often behind the people that seem the most together from the outside.  Patti fearlessly does this with Ellie and because of that the character is eminently  relatable.

Patti herself is eminently relatable and great fun to chat with.  We’ve known each other for years and even though we lived in the same city, we weren’t able to get an interview on the schedule until now – six weeks after Patti moved out of state!  Despite the more serious topics in the  book and the honest revelations of her main character, Patti and I laughed it up last week when she came by my studio,  and I know this interview will put a smile on your face too.

As always, I hope you enjoy it!  And be sure to check out the rest of the author interview series on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

Haigh chooses to tackle a topic most of us won’t talk about in polite company and she challenges us as readers to ask these questions of ourselves.  Though I won’t give it away here, in the FAITH, we do get to find out exactly what happened and whether or not Father Art Breen is guilty.  But in many of these real life situations it is one person vs. another and the truth will only really ever be known by the accused and the accuser.  Tough stuff.

Jennifer took some time out of her busy schedule to talk with me phone about the book, her own discovery of the “truth” in the story, her writing process and even what she’s working on next.  (Fans of her earlier book BAKER TOWERS will be want to tune in for that alone!)

As always, I hope you enjoy the interview.  And be sure to check out the rest of the author interview series on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

PS – If you’re in the Atlanta area, join Jennifer, author Amy Waldman and myself at the Decatur Book Festival for a talk about their books!

At first glance of the cover, you would think THE BEACH TREES is a simple, maybe romantic tale set in a beach town.  But no.  The cover really depicts the calm after the storm and it is into a post Hurricane Katrina world that Karen has woven a complex, moving, multi-generational story.  The book is actually told by two narrators;  one in the present — Julie, an outsider who doesn’t understand the deep attachments to home and who is struggling to move beyond a family tragedy from her childhood, and one in the past — Aimee a grandmother whose secrets from the past are complicating her the lives of her family.

I struggled in the interview (and above!) to summarize the book, not because it’s hard to understand but because there is a a lot going on.  But that’s a good thing, trust me — it keeps you turning pages.  THE BEACH TREES is full of mysteries to unfold and characters you will quickly become attached to.  For me, it’s Karen’s best work to date.  And that’s what every writer wants, isn’t it?

As always, I hope you enjoy the interview.  And be sure to check out the rest of the author interview series on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

But John brings something special to the table (thanks to his lovely wife)… he aims to combine the kind of action-packed thriller he wants to read with the “Oprah book” quality his wife is looking for.  And he achieves it.  IRON HOUSE, his fourth book, has a twisty, creepy, fast-paced plot filled with multi-layered characters and complex family struggles.  It’s the story of two brothers who grow up in a vicious orphanage and are then separated at a young age.  Michael, the stronger brother takes the blame for something his younger brother has done and runs away.  He ends up finding his way into an major organized crime family while his brother is adopted by a Senator and his wife.  As the story begins, Michael has met a woman and fallen in love and wants out of the life.  This sets off a series of events that forces Michael to reveal his true identity to the woman he loves and also brings him back to his long lost brother and IRON HOUSE, the orphanage where they grew up.

John stopped in last week as he passed through Atlanta on book tour and we talked about his career, how he works, the characters in the book and what he’s working on next (which you’ll want to hear).  As usual with this kind of book, I was challenged to ask questions that wouldn’t give the plot away , which I think I achieved, so no spoilers here!

And for the first time in over 50+ interviews I actually did the Wayne’s World “we’re not worthy” style bow in the middle of this interview!  You’ll have to listen to find out why!

As always, I hope you enjoy the interview.  And be sure to check out the rest of the author interview series on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

Terra and I got together last week (on what felt like the hottest day of the year) to talk about the festival and the new book.  THE SUMMER OF FIRSTS AND LASTS is the story of three teenage sisters and a pivotal summer in their young lives.  It is an unflinching look at the choices and struggles faced by teenage girls in the same vein as authors like Judy Blume (back in the day) and Ann Brashares (in the here and now).

Though Terra always knew she wanted to be a writer, writing for teens just sort of happened and was actually a bit of surprise to her.  For me, it totally fits.  Terra has a young spirit and a bubbly personality and it’s easy to see how she connects with her characters and readers.

In our conversation, we delve into the characters and into general purpose teenage shenanigans and we talk about Terra’s inspiration for the story.  Of course we also talked about the upcoming Decatur Book Festival and Terra shared some of the programming she’s most excited about including the keynote address which will feature Colin Meloy (lead singer from The Decemberists) and Carson Ellis, the nationally renowned pair behind the new book WILDWOOD (due out August).

As always, I hope you enjoy the interview.  And be sure to check out the rest of the author interview series on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

Jael is a longtime food lover and longtime writer who has combined her two passions into the perfect recipe for getting published!  THE KITCHEN DAUGHTER is her debut novel from Simon & Schuster and it not just for foodies though they will especially love the recipes and detailed descriptions of the smells, textures and emotions that food evokes.  My personal cooking skills are rudimentary at best,  but that didn’t stop me from enjoying this multifaceted story.

THE KITCHEN DAUGHTER is the story of a young woman with undiagnosed Asperger’s syndrome who is navigating a world in which her parents have just died, her sister wants control, and cooking is her main source of comfort.  Having been sheltered for most of her life, Ginny finds herself left to her own devices wondering if in fact she has any devices at all.  Helping her understand her new world and the way to find a place in it are some ghosts from her past who she has found a way to connect with through their recipes.

The book is not wholly otherworldly, rather it has just has a dash of magical realism thrown like the secret ingredient in the book’s Hot Hot Chocolate.  If you enjoy magical realists like Laura Esquivel and Sarah Addison Allen you’ll want to check out Jael McHenry to be sure.

After a false start last week when I accidentally read THE KITCHEN HOUSE instead of THE KITCHEN DAUGHTER, I corrected my mistake and Jael was nice enough to give me another chance!  Of course we talked about food and ghosts and Ginny, but we also talked about internet lurking, how long it took Jael to get her big break and what she is working on next.

As always, I hope you enjoy the interview.  And be sure to check out the rest of the author interview series on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

The book, quick to hit the New York Times Bestseller list is as addictive and imminently readable as the first four and proves you don’t need vampires or kids killing each other to make the list.  The Sisterhood series is all about its characters and this one is no different.

I caught up with Ann last week as she makes her way around the country on tour with her four month old son.  Yes, you read that right. This woman is not only a brilliant writer but a super mom!

SISTERHOOD EVERLASTING is full of surprises and twists and though some turns are definitely sad, it is ultimately a hopeful book about an age where girls/women take the next steps in growing up.  (Which, in my opinion is a lifelong process!).  That said, the twists and turn made the interview challenging because I didn’t want to spoil the story for those of you who haven’t read it yet!  But I’m happy to say we achieved it.  This is officially a SPOILER FREE ZONE!  And Ann encourages fans to stay away from internet spoilers about the book and just read it!

One of the things we did talk about in the interview is a great quote from one of the new characters in the book.  Her name is Eudoxia, and she says, “You get older and you learn that there is one sentence, just four words long, and if you can say it to yourself it offers more comfort than almost any other.  It goes like this… At least I tried.”  Love that!  Of course we hit on lots of other things like weddings and babies and pants.  So, no spoilers, but great insights into Ann, the books and whether or not there’ll be more from the Sisterhood after this!

As always, I hope you enjoy the interview.  And be sure to check out the rest of the author interview series on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

It’s not that Jeffrey is overly descriptive – it’s just that somehow the scenes he paints are deeply human and relatable.

Jeffrey and I met for the first time last year when FIREWORKS came out and he became, what I like to call, an “insta-friend”.  We converse easily – and thank goodness for that because yesterday when we sat down to do this interview, I had some technical difficulties, and we actually had to do the interview twice!  Jeff gets the award for the author with the most patience for sure!

But that’s not the only thing that makes this author unique.  He’s a dude who writes about love.  And deep feelings.  Can you imagine? And not only does he write about love and feelings, he gets it right!

As always in the interview we talk about the characters and themes in the book – but we also talk about the fascinating worlds this book is set in:  the world of organic apples and of corporate scent and taste development.

You’ll want to add this book to your beach bag this summer – but be warned you’ll need to pack a couple organic apples too.  Once you start reading you’ll be craving them, I swear!

As always, I hope you enjoy the interview.  And be sure to check out the rest of the series on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

We had a great conversation about the new book, her research trip to China with author Amy Tan, and even what she’s working on next.  And no… it’s not a sequel to DREAMS OF JOY, but it does sound like it will be another fascinating read.  Of course as always we dug into the story and some of the characters in DREAMS OF JOY and Lisa shared her thoughts on their relationships and their growth.  If your book club is reading DREAMS OF JOY, I think the insight into Lisa’s mind will really enhance your conversation.  (Oh – and if you’re not planning to read DREAMS OF JOY for your book club, you should!).

As always, I hope you enjoy the interview.  And be sure to check out the rest of the series on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

But back to Darin and HALF A LIFE.  In this extraordinary book Darin shares the story of a tragic car accident that occurred when he was 18 years old.  No one was officially at fault, but Darin was driving the car and the girl he struck did not survive.  What makes the story extraordinary is Darin’s willingness to share everything he thought over the ensuing years whether it cast him in a good light or not.

What is extraordinary about my conversation with Darin is that you can hear that he is still working through exactly how to feel about all of this and still growing as a human being.

This book has clearly struck a chord with readers who have been in similar situations, but I think it is more far reaching than that.  We have all struggled with things in our lives and I believe we have all had thoughts that we wouldn’t want to admit out loud.  This book confirms that we’re not alone.

On a lighter note, at the end of the interview Darin (who is best known for his works of fiction like CHANG AND ENG) talks about what he is working on now and he has two very exciting projects in the works.  Of course I’m not going to tell you… you’ll just have to listen!

As always, I hope you enjoy the interview.  And be sure to check out the rest of the series on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

Randy Susan Meyers did just that.  Having worked with batterers and violent criminals in her work life, she was already working on the idea of writing about it when her sister reminded her of an incident from their childhood.  Though Randy didn’t remember it,  their father had tried to kill their mother while both young daughters were present.  In the case of Randy’s family, the attempt was aborted and her mother survived the attack.  But this story sparked a “what if” for Randy – and the outcome is THE MURDERER’S DAUGHTER.

The book is the story of sisters Merry and Lulu in the aftermath of the murder of their mother at the hands of their father.  Randy I talked by phone about the book and we could have kept going and going… there is that much to talk about in this book.  If you’re looking for a book club read that will keep your group talking, you have to check out this book!

As always, I hope you enjoy the interview.  And if you love hearing from your favorite authors, you’ll want to check out the rest of the series on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

PS – Want to hear what authors have to say about the publishing industry?  Check out my new short form podcast (episodes are around 5 minutes long) for PublishingTrendsetter.com!

Since then, we’ve been at countless events together but this is only the second time we’ve sat down to do an interview.  As she is about to starting hopping from town to town, I was lucky enough to grab some time with Mary Kay before the book launch began!  (Which, by the way, for Atlanta folks, is tonight at Feast in Decatur and I believe tickets are still available!)

SUMMER RENTAL is the story of three lifelong friends who haven’t seen in each other in awhile and decide to take a summer vacation together to catch up.  At first there’s nothing more to the plan than laying on the beach and catching up on girl talk, but by the time the women arrive, things have changed and it turns out to be a transitional time for each of them.  Danger enters the picture in a good way in the form of next door neighbor, Ty Blazemore and in a not so good way with the fourth house guest, a stranger named Maryn who is on the run.  The book is a page turner for sure and should definitely be in your beach bag this summer!

I hope you enjoy the interview!  And don’t forget to check out the rest of the series on iTunes!

For more in Mary Kay’s tour, check out the tour page on her website at: http://tour.marykayandrews.com/

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

In fact, the more I know about her, the more I find it surprising that the green movement hasn’t adopted Mary Alice as it’s number one fiction writer, as each of her books seamlessly integrates an element of nature with a moving human story.

THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER is no exception.  Here we are drawn into the coming of age story of Luz Avila while learning about the fascinating Monarch butterflies and their unique multi-generational migration between Mexico and North America.   After her beloved Grandmother passes, Luz sets out on a journey to Mexico to honor her Grandmother’s wishes and see the Monarch’s arrive in Mexico.  Along the way Luz meets a variety of quirky characters  who help her see the world in a new way.

When Mary Alice and I sat down last week to talk about the book, she described these characters as Luz’s Tin Man, Scarecrow and Lion.  A great analogy which gave me a whole new way to see the story.  We also talked about some of the characters in the story in detail and about Luz’s Mexican heritage.  But for Mary Alice the idea for the book started with the butterflies and that grew into a passion to help save the species.  To that end, she is giving away free milkweed seeds while on tour for the book.  This will help you help the Monarchs!  She talks about the project in the interview (and you can also find out more about it on her website at www.MaryAliceMonroe.com)

As always, I hope you enjoy the interview! And don’t forget to check out the rest of the series on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

THE PASSAGE is a journey on a many levels and I had the chance to sit down with Justin as he was passing through town yesterday on his own journey, better known as book tour.

We talked about the inspiration for the book and in addition to the fact that his daughter wanted him to write a novel about a girl who saves the world, he also said he wanted to go back to the kinds of books that inspired him growing up.   (Of course you’ll have to listen to see which titles he mentions specifically!).

We talked about some of the themes in the book and I did get a few little sneak peeks at what we can expect as the trilogy continues.   (Though Justin did warn me that sequels are like FIGHT CLUB, where the first rule is “You don’t talk about sequels”).

Aside from being a fantastic writer and all around smarty pants, Justin is quite the talker.  When asked about the character Amy and what her psychic abilities might be, he said he couldn’t reveal that just yet, but he could tell me that “she is a cosmic event of such significance that the universe can’t ignore it.”  I would like to be called that, wouldn’t you?

As always, I hope you enjoy the interview! And don’t forget to check out the rest of the series on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

The book tells the story of three women who have never met, but whose lives intersect after they are devastated by a Bernie Madoff style ponzi scheme that leaves them each broke but with a third share in a dilapidated mansion on Pass-A-Grille beach in St. Pete Florida.  The women head to the house thinking they’ll put it on the market, take the money and run.  But when they get there, no such luck.  The house is a mess.  So they decide to stay and fix the place up.  Add to the mix a single, pregnant daughter, an estranged mother and a brother who is actually responsible for all their financial losses and you have one of the best beach books of the summer!

Wendy and I talk about the women and their challenges and the house, Bella Flora, who adds her own drama and character to the story!

Enjoy the video podcast and check out the rest of the series (audio only), now on iTunes!

If you live in the Atlanta area you can join the Midtown Review Book Club later this month to discuss the book AND MEET THE AUTHOR!  Go to http://www.meetup.com/MidtownReview/ for all the details and to register!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

Debbie releases multiple books per year in her various beloved series, has a set of companion knitting books that go along with her fiction, owns a knitting store, works on charity projects and still has time to drive coast to coast with her hubby twice a year – which in fact was the seed of the idea for the newest book in her Blossom Street series: A TURN IN THE ROAD.

I was able to get some of Debbie’s time last week as she passed through Atlanta on book tour.  We talked about her busy life, where her ideas come from and the three generation of women in the new book.

We also talked about life after infidelity – a major theme in the book – as well as the way women are women no matter what age.

As always I got Debbie to give some hints about some of her upcoming projects  – and away from the microphone she shared how she had a hand in the cover art (something that authors rarely get to do) and suggested the three suitcases on top of the car – representing the three generations of women portrayed in the story.

I hope you enjoy the interview and remember to check out the rest of the series, now on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

Holly and I met for the first time last year when she was touring Atlanta promoting the hardcover release of her debut novel, THE SWIMMING POOL.  We recorded this interview then, but I thought it would be great to re-air it now as the paperback edition was just released a couple weeks ago.

THE SWIMMING POOL is a complicated story of loyalty, devotion, love and loss.  With a myriad of topics to talk about, the book is a great selection for book clubs and now that’s it out in paperback, if you’re group hasn’t already read it, you have no excuse!

I hope you enjoy the interview and remember to check out the rest of the series, now on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

Though Diane is beloved for books like A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE SENSES and THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE and has written over 20 books, her latest book, ONE HUNDRED NAMES FOR LOVE,  is by far her most personal.  It chronicles the journey she and Paul made from that fateful day six years ago when words failed back to a life where words abound.

When we sat down to talk last week, I asked Diane what it was like to write such a personal story and we talked about the ins and outs of aphasia, the advice they got, and the unique treatment Diane created for Paul that got him to a place the doctors never thought he’d be

More than a medical memoir, ONE HUNDRED NAMES FOR LOVE is a love story and a testament to hope and determination.  It is an also an important message about not giving up and about the power of the brain to heal itself.

I hope you enjoy the interview and remember to check out the rest of the series, now on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

Of course there are some fundamentalists across religions that don’t welcome that kind of change – and want to make sure the documents are never found.  This leads not only to international chase for Grant and his journalist friend Kristin, a spiritual journey as well.

Who better to tell this story than a guy who has studied religion at Oxford University and has traveled to all of the international sites of religious importance that appear in the book?  What about a guy who runs a commercial real estate company and was a former amateur ballroom dance champion?  Confused?  Don’t be.  As it turns out Jeffrey Small is both of those guys.   Okay – he’s just one guy – but a very busy one!

Thankfully, Jeff was able to make time in his busy schedule to chat with me about his crazy busy life and the new book.

We started out chatting about ballroom dance and then quick-stepped gracefully into a deep discussion of religious intolerance and some of the deeper themes in this book.  (See what I did there?)

And while the book is definitely a thought provoking look at the world’s religions and a personal spiritual journey, it is also, at its core a fast paced, fun novel of suspense.

I hope you’ll enjoy the book and the interview and remember to check out the rest of the series, now on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

When we sat down to chat last week, Meg summed up the book for me like this “THE FOUR MS. BRADWELLS is the story of four women friends who met in law school and who have to decide what to do when a skeleton falls out of their collective closet just as one of the women is in nomination hearings for an appointment to the Supreme Court”.

She wrote the book, she should know… but THE FOUR MS. BRADWELLS is far more complex than that. Not only does the book deal with that skeleton and with how decisions we make when we are young affect us, it is also a complex story about women.  With this story, Meg delves into women’s careers and women’s rights and examines the ups and downs between mothers and daughters and the bond between women friends.

During the course of our conversation, Meg and I talked about how far women have come over the last generation or two and how different it is for kids growing up and entering the workforce today.  We also dove into the inspiration for the characters in the book and best of all I got Meg to give a sneak peek into what she’s working on next.  I’ll give you hint… if you loved THE WEDNESDAY SISTERS (Meg’s last book), you are going to be very happy… but you’ll have to listen to the interview to get the full scoop.  (See what I did there?)

As always, we hope you enjoy the interview and remind you to check out the rest of the author interview series now available on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

Sound difficult?  Ben says no – he says he has a process that works.  He suggests looking to get your foot in the door with temp to perm situations and project consulting.  And I say in times like these – what have you got to lose?

Ben came by the Midtown Review studios for a chat last week and we talked about the importance of knowing what value you bring to the table and how to get to the decision makers.

Best quote from the interview?  “Any strategy with a time frame is nothing but a wish”.

Ben Hudson is the author of HOW TO FIND WORK WHEN THERE ARE NO JOBS and a long time project consultant.

Enjoy the interview and don’t forget to check out the rest of the author interview series now available on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

PS – Tuesday the podcast series is headed back to fiction with Meg Waite Clayton and the newly released THE FOUR MS. BRADWELLS!

I first read the book two years ago and then again last week when I knew I was going to get the chance to chat with Jamie.  But it wasn’t until I looked at his website that I knew Jamie had a sense of humor and was going to be a fun interview.

Of course we talked in detail about the research that went into the book and the inspiration for some of the characters but we also talked about Jamie’s sordid past spent running from his Amish past.  Not. But we did talk about his real background and how he got into writing and some of the projects he has in in the works, (which are top secret and title-less at this point, so you’ll have to listen to the interview for the scoop).

Enjoy the interview and don’t forget to check out the rest of the author interview series now available on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor

P.S. HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET is Dana’s Book Club Pick this month as well.  Check it out!

Lisa is back with a new cast of characters, kids going missing, a creepy schoolhouse mystery and a possessed desk.  Yup… a desk.  The book is called CRYER’S CROSS and this time our heroine is just a regular girl with a challenge many regular kids (and adults) face… Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (or OCD).  The character is based on Lisa’s daughter Kennedy who also has the disorder and was happy to have Mom to write about it in such a positive way.

Lisa and I sat down to talk last week as she passed through town on her book tour and I got her to reveal a little tidbit her fans don’t know about her, along with the scoop on her upcoming books.  Of course we talked about the WAKE series and dug into the details of CRYER’S CROSS, but we also talked about Lisa’s writing career and how she actually gave up for almost 10 years before coming back to writing.

I hope you enjoy the interview and don’t forget to check out the rest of the author interview series now available on iTunes!

– Dana Barrett, Managing Editor