The Book Connection

Life can take unexpected turns, leaving us heartbroken and questioning our faith. That's the experience Martha Gayle, author of When Jesus Calls , shares in her powerful debut novel. Life throws Mary, the protagonist, a curveball. Betrayal shatters her marriage, leaving her bitter and pushing her away from her faith. But Mary's story isn't one of despair. It's a powerful journe...

Imagine facing the unimaginable—a battle for your child's life. That's the reality Kristin S. Martin and her family found themselves in when their nine-year-old son, Brady, was diagnosed with a rare leukemia. Devastated but determined, Kristin turned to writing as a lifeline. Join us for a deeply personal interview with Kristin as she discusses her book Through the Battle . This poignant...

For over 30 years, Steve Campbell and his wife Wanda have been beacons of hope in the gritty streets of Columbus, Ohio. What began as a small street ministry, "The Better Way," has blossomed into the renowned Columbus Dream Center, a testament to their unwavering faith and dedication to serving the homeless and marginalized. In his new book, He Went a Little Farther , Steve writes in dev...

Imagine a respected doctor and a state senator leading a life of service. Now picture his world shattering after an unwitting addiction spirals into a chilling nightmare, a shocking prison sentence, and a horrifying connection to the CIA's MKULTRA program. This is the story William Henry Wall Jr. unveils in his book, From Healing to Hell . Join us for a powerful interview where William dives...

Ever feel lost in the shuffle of history? Wondering where humanity's headed and what God's purpose might be in it all? Today, we're diving deep with Michael J. Byrne, a retired author on a mission to unlock the Bible's hidden message. Michael's book, A Compendium to the Bible , isn't your typical scripture study. He believes the Bible is an encrypted message from God...

"See you later," a simple phrase that held a world of love and hope for a young girl growing up cherished by her father. But on her sixteenth birthday, that promise was shattered, leaving her with only memories of a once perfect bond.  This is the heartbreaking yet ultimately heartwarming story of Brielle, who in this episode shares her experience of navigating a broken family, a lost fa...

Imagine addiction as a constant, insidious threat, stealing lives at a devastating rate. That's the reality we face today, with addiction claiming an American every five minutes. But in this episode, we meet Michele Gerber, a mother who refused to surrender to despair. Her journey began with the heartbreaking loss of her son to opioid addiction. It's a story filled with raw emotions—fear...

Do you ever feel like the world is bombarding you with noise, pulling you further away from your faith?  In this episode, we'll meet Melinda, an author who shares how a daily conversation with God can help you hear the Holy Spirit's guidance.   Melinda's book, Virtues of Horsemen , is all about infusing your entire life with your Christian walk. Through scripture, personal stories w...

Lauren Ratcliff's parents suspected something different about her since infancy. By kindergarten, her developmental delays became clear. Diagnosed with a lifelong disorder (initially Pervasive Developmental Disorder, later Asperger's Syndrome, and now Autism Spectrum Disorder), Lauren's journey has been filled with challenges.   Growing up in rural Kentucky in the 80s and 90s, Laure...

Forget everything you thought you knew about Pi. Author Albert Vitales Cruz, PhD, unveils a revolutionary method to unlocking its true value. In his book, he reveals a groundbreaking approach using simple geometric principles and powerful theorems to pinpoint Pi's precise value, validated by multiple methods. Join us as we journey beyond the classroom and discover the true nature of Pi. In ou...

From the romance of the open sea to the grit of everyday life, Into a Gale's Full Fury takes us on a captivating journey aboard merchant ships in the 1970s and 1980s. Seasoned mariner Christopher McMahon shares his firsthand experiences sailing across the globe, facing raging storms, bizarre crews, and the ever-present danger of the ocean. But amidst the peril, McMahon also reveals the magic...

From playful pups to purring felines, Barbara Benninger's life as a wife, mother, grandmother, farmer, nurse, and lawyer always included furry companions. Riding Cocoa, her beloved quarter horse, and caring for countless dogs and cats, she instilled a deep love for animals in her children. Now, she shares heartwarming stories of these companions, hoping to spark joy and encourage kids who may...

Forget the endless "why" of positive culture and jump straight to the "how" with Engage! This book unveils the secrets behind WD-40's vibrant, empowered workplace, written by the person who helped transform it.  That Renaissance man is Stan Sewitch—former journalist, martial arts instructor, musician, entrepreneur, business psychologist, and advisor to CEOs and business ow...

Meet Madeleine Littler, the author who champions underserved readers and is passionate about empowering teens who struggle with reading. She is an avid reader and advocate for community outreach, dedicated to making the world of books more inclusive. Recognizing the need for engaging, age-appropriate literature, she created a book series designed to captivate young readers with below-average readi...

Forget the political spectacle and partisan rhetoric and step into the heart of impeachment with the Honorable Clifford B. Stearns In his book, Inside Impeachment , Stearns takes you on an insider's journey through the halls of Congress, revealing a behind-the-scenes look into this pivotal process.   A decorated Air Force veteran and Florida congressman of 24 years, he knows the inner working...

Imagine walking alongside Jesus, feeling the dust of ancient roads beneath your feet, hearing his words ripple through the crowd like a wave. That's the immersive experience author Stephen K. Moore invites you into with his book, First-Person Messiah. Moore, a man of many layers himself, weaves this unique tapestry. Son of a poet-photographer and a creative, artistic mother, he's a seaso...

“If I don't really know God—I know about God, but I don't really know God—then I've wasted my life.” As a child, Nathan Roberts yearned for the intimate connection Samuel shared with God. Today, after 35 years behind the pulpit and fresh off publishing his debut book, Who Do You Think You Are? , Nathan sits down with us to talk about his mission: empowering ordinary people to unlock...

Meet Nelda Ellen Carter, a retired elementary and college professor who has traded her classroom for the captivating world of romance novels. Nelda's passion for storytelling runs deep in her veins, a legacy passed down through generations of family storytellers. Twenty years ago, Nelda embarked on her own literary journey and published her first romance novel, "Love Is Forever" in...

What happens when a lifelong creative—writer, photographer, librarian, artist, and musician—finds herself with a lot of time on her hands during the pandemic?   In Vanessa I.R. Craven’s case, being able to take a breath and appreciate nature gave her the unexpected opportunity to use all her talents in a unique way: to compose a children’s song and then eventually write an accompanying book, Birds...

"We were talking about how powerful it is to let yourself go to that place of not knowing . . . and how our culture kind of unwittingly takes that space away from us . . . but if you can let yourself go to that place, it can be a place of creativity." Thus began the inspiration for the Lynn Battaglia's children's book The Space of Not Knowing. Today's conversation is a fun...

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” This passage from Isaiah 6:8 is said to best describe the thirty-eight career of Lieutenant General James B. Vaught—devoted husband, great-grandfather, public servant, and distinguished military man with deployments to World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. In this episode of the Au...

After retiring from business, Joni Franks found herself with time on her hands and no idea what path her life would take. But one thing was clear: she wanted do something that would make a difference in the world. Join us for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation with this award-winning children's book and YA author as we look back on a writing journey that has taken her from her cover porc...

A sixth-grade teacher for 31 years, Steven Clark Waiters is no stranger to the mischief and trouble kids can get into—a knowledge useful to authors who write stories for them and about them. Join us as he talks to us about how an F in 7th-grade English helped him develop a growing interest in writing adventures stories and ultimately led to him publishing 3 books.  Check out and grab a copy of his...

Today’s lively and in-depth conversation about dogs (and so much more!) is with multi-hyphenate Peter Jam—Lebanese-Armenian artist, activist, singer/songwriter, professional dog trainer, and now author of the book Magic Starts with You: Doggy Education for All .  Despite his book’s seemingly obvious title and cover, today’s guest author tells us that it’s not only for folks looking for a different...

In part 2 of our conversation with author Susan Norris, we examine the influence and impact of drugs and pornography on this dark and dangerous world, how adopting a victim-centered approach has helped in the war against it, and most importantly, the steps adults and parents can take to lessen potential risks for their kids.  Make sure you check out episode 4 of our podcast to listen to the first...