Desideratum

This is the incredible true story of Eleanor Jarman, dubbed "the most dangerous woman alive" by 1930s newspapers — but was she really? In 1933, Eleanor was sentenced to 199 years as an accomplice to murder during a Chicago robbery gone wrong. The press sensationalized her as "The Blonde Tigress," leader of a dangerous gang. But the truth was far more complex. After seven years...

Join host Theresa Bakken for a captivating conversation with Austin-based author Scott Semegran and Brooklyn-born narrator Brian P. Craig about their latest collaboration, Starman After Midnight . This literary fiction novel explores unlikely friendships, neighborhood mysteries, and the power of human connection in our divided times. Discover the story behind a naked man appearing on porch cameras...

In this episode of Desideratum, host Theresa Bakken sits down with author Jennifer Oko to discuss her latest novel, "Just Emilia." Set in a Washington, DC elevator, the story brings together three women (ages 17, 47, and 77) at pivotal moments in their lives, forcing them to confront a shared trauma and unravel the threads connecting their past, present, and future. Jennifer shares the i...

In this episode, we explore the remarkable story behind "The Cure for Women: Dr. Mary Putnam Jacobi and the Challenge to Victorian Medicine that Changed Women’s Lives Forever." Host Theresa Bakken is joined by author Lydia Reeder and audiobook narrator Sara Sheckells to discuss the life and legacy of Dr. Mary Putnam Jacobi—a pioneering scientist and physician who broke barriers for women...

 This is a story about getting focused and creative. It's a non-fiction handbook and guidebook to your brain and what current brain science tells us about how to thrive, relax and even work better with others. The author is a cognitive scientist intent on turning good science into good life strategies. I am so excited to feature the audiobook SHARP 14 Simple Ways to Improve Your Life with Brai...

This is a story about a robot. Annie Bot was created to be the perfect companion and girlfriend for her human owner Doug. She's designed to adapt and learn to get better at serving and meeting his needs. It's a story about what and how she learns. You follow her to her tune up appointments with technicians, you ride a bike with her, and feel her sentience and consciousness grow even while you are...

Empathy, Dreams, and Breaking Barriers: The Story Behind 'Sideline Confidential' In this episode, author Brooke Bentley and renowned narrator Julia Whelan talk about their collaboration on the audiobook 'Sideline Confidential.' Brooke shares how her real-life experiences as a sports reporter for the NFL informed the creation of her protagonist, Blake, who navigates the challenges of a male-dominat...

  This is a story about a young woman, a small town wedding party planner, whose curiosity and gut instincts lead to some amateur sleuthing and some shenanigans. We're talking about the audio book Party Planning Can Be Murder, and our conversation, like the book, starts off talking about funerals. You're gonna hear why funerals have made their way into so many of this author's stories. You'll also...

 This is a story full of secrets and surprises and suspense. In one of the first scenes, it's 2018, and you are stumbling through a snowstorm with an art appraiser who might just be freezing to death. You're not sure. Again and again, author Debra Spark caught me off guard and drew me in. She pulled together a storyline about a teenage boy sent to an abusive boarding school in the 1970s (b...

This is a story set in an inhospitable land, where the characters are struggling to find a home for the living and a place to bury their dead. We're talking about the novel No Place to Bury the Dead with audiobook narrator Maria McCann. Maria is a Los Angeles native, a graduate of the UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television, who’s appeared in dozens of films and television shows, such as...

Step into the world of 1917 with author Donna Alward's debut historical fiction, "When the World Fell Silent." This gripping tale explores the lives of two distinct women, Nora and Charlotte, against the backdrop of the Halifax explosion—an event that reshaped a city and its people. Known for her success in romance, Donna takes on the challenge of weaving historical facts with compelling character...

The Codger And The Sparrow is a story about an old man, a teenage boy and the trouble they get into. It's a friendship that at first you will not quite understand and yet totally be cheering for! Author Scott Semegran shares the inspiration behind the novel, which stemmed from a vivid image he had during the stressful days of the pandemic. He envisioned an older man and a teenage boy, vastly d...

In this episode, we delve into a poignant summer romance that transcends time and societal boundaries. Join us as we explore the intricate layers of "All the Flowers of the Mountain" with author Christina Holbrook. Set against the backdrop of a picturesque lake, this story follows the love between a local boy and a girl from an affluent family, unraveling the secrets and uncertainties th...

This is a story about a family on the Lower East Side of Manhattan a hundred years ago. Their lives in the densely populated tenements offer a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of immigrant life in early 20th-century America.  We’re talking to author Gail Lehrman about her novel Across Seward Park. I found so many essential things in this conversation. For me this is not just a chat about a...

Ever wondered what makes a story both romantic and riotously funny? This episode invites you into the minds of a creative couple who turned a series of "what ifs" into a comedic and heartfelt narrative. Learn how they intertwined their personal experiences with a fictional couple's chaotic journey, reflecting on the deep connections and empathy that arise from shared struggles. As th...

This is a mystical story about a magical circus.  Not the kind of magic that involves pulling rabbits out of hats, but the kind where individuals' inner talents manifest into genuine magical abilities—known as sparks. These sparks choose to use their gifts not for conquest but to inspire and bring joy to those who need it most. But, this story is not all whimsy and light. This historical fanta...

This is a story about a woman using all her abilities to complete a spy mission and also get exactly what she wants. We’re talking to Helen Day about the sexy and determined characters she narrated as Hedra Knight for the Regency Romance The Duke in Question by Amalie Howard. I loved learning how Helen physically gets into character, how she performed so many different action and spicy scenes, and...

This is a thriller. It’s the story of an FBI agent and a homicide detective working together to catch a serial killer with a chilling perspective on killing. You'll hear narrator Erin deWard bringing all the chills and characters to life in your ear. We'll talk about why and how she does it, and you'll hear author Leanne Kale Sparks talk about how she maps out and finds the 'woulda...

This is a story about a beautiful, powerful woman who captured the imagination of historical fiction author Shana Abè. We’re talking about Arabella Huntington, the intriguing woman at the heart of An American Beauty: A Novel of the Gilded Age Inspired by the True Story of Arabella Huntington Who Became the Richest Woman in the Country. This week we return to a favorite author of mine. Shana Abè fi...

This is a murder mystery. It's the second book in a 1920s series starring the prim, poor but clever, Annalee Spain - a fan of Sherlock Holmes - who solves murder and crime in Colorado's dangerous Klan era. We’re talking with Colorado author Patricia Raybon about race and faith, why we love a good mystery, and how transparency is essential. I want to thank The Colorado Sun for shining their...

This is a real life story set in a vast land, the San Luis Valley of Colorado. It’s a huge flat prairie flanked by mountains, and it's far off the beaten path. Author Ted Conover takes us there in this Desideratum. A desideratum is an essential thing and this story got me thinking about lots of essential things - like wide open spaces, what to do with a rattlesnake, the peace you find in silen...

This is a story about a young woman running away and finding her home. It begins with the moment she decides to run, when she faces a painful truth about her boyfriend.  We’re talking about A LIGHT IN THE FOREST - a Colorado Book Award Finalist - on this Desideratum. A Desideratum is an essential thing. I’m audiobook narrator Theresa Bakken and I think this story is full of essential things.  This...

Have you heard the story about the author who was in a grocery store, set up with a little table and a folding chair, selling his books one book at a time... when something life changing happened. We’re talking about the crazy experience author Shawn Warner is having with his debut novel Leigh Howard and the Ghosts of Simmons Pierce Manor - how a small act of kindness from a stranger set off a rip...

This is a story about a group of women in the late 1960’s. Their shared love of art and some unusual coincidences bring them together. Author Linda Rosen decided to anchor her fiction to a real event in New York City in 1970 that ended up being more relevant today than she first imagined. From Black Rose Writing, with the audiobook published by Tantor Audio, we're talking about The Emerald Necklac...

This is a story about a woman who slips through time..   It's the day before Casey's 40th birthday, and her acting career and personal life are a disaster. Frantic to escape her own emptiness, she hops a plane to England and heads to the countryside to hide. That’s when a lightning strike, a skidding car and a horse that might be magical send her through a gap in time to the Dark Ages. We’...