February 2026 A few nights ago, I spent two hours writing with an amazing group of people, the Creative Slingers of Ink . Every Monday night, we meet in the Zoom Room and support each other through creating the words that need to find a home on our pages. I know I've written in other blog posts about the tremendous energy that flows when authors meet to write in community... and I was again reminded about the amazingness found - even via Zoom - when creative souls spend tim

Indie Reads Aloud Radio Episode # 285 Where The Heart Begins Written by Mandy Jo   AJ Walker has built a life around balance and responsibility, raising twelve-year-old twin boys while managing her work from home and maintaining a friendly relationship with her ex-husband. Her days are full, her plans carefully drawn, and her heart safely guarded. Until she joins a local walking group and everything begins to change. What starts as a simple way to get healthier becomes a path

Indie Reads Aloud Radio Episode # 284 Lola & Sophie's ABC Adventure Written by Christine Devane   Woof, woof-let's go! Meet Lola and Sophie, two adorable pups who are ready to take your little one on a joyful ABC adventure. From barking and belly rubs to jumping, snuggling, wagging tails, and catching ZZZZs, each page introduces a new letter through playful doggy antics and sweet opposite pairs that delight early readers. Inspired by two real-life dogs-Lola, a glamorous chihu

Indie Reads Aloud Radio Episode # 283 Ready For A Storm Book One of the Storm Series Written by Josephine Jordin   LISTENER ADVISORY: Violence, Mature Situations A new sweet and spicy romance sprinkled with suspense! Ava Ellis, a glamorous, former A-list actress is trying to rebuild her career when a shadowy threat forces her into hiding – and under heavy protection. Her high-profile brother calls in a favor and hires a trio of elite operatives to keep her safe. Leading them

Indie Reads Aloud Radio Episode # 282 Crying Call Book Two in the Thomas Vale Series Written by Jeff Boats  LISTENER ADVISORY: STRONG LANGUAGE, VIOLENCE Thomas Vale is a Homeland Security intel analyst on loan to the FBI, and his ‘investigation is going up in flames, literally.  Months of research led him to a meeting between the Blue Panzers, a domestic terror cell of white supremacist cops, and their mysterious leader known only as “Malleus.”  When the house Thom tracked t

Have you ever considered writing under a pseudonym, and why or why not? I haven’t really considered it. I like the idea of my name being connected to the worlds I create—both as a children’s author and as a coach. My stories are rooted in my personal love for Indian mythology, so it feels authentic to have my identity intertwined with the characters and adventures. I also want kids and parents to know the person behind the stories, to feel that connection as they read and ma

Have you ever considered writing under a pseudonym, and why or why not? Absolutely! Josephine Jordin is my pen name. It has a far better ring than my actual name and creates a much-needed separation. 😉 What is your “go-to” method for working through or around writer’s block? Can’t say I’ve encountered full on writer’s block (yet, anyway!), but if I’m struggling with a particular scene, I retreat to a special, secluded area of my house to find my Zen. Simply calming my mind a

Indie Reads Aloud Radio Episode # 281 The Gatekeeper's Portal Book Two in The Elementals Trilogy Written by S.W. Raine   LISTENER ADVISORY: Violence, Strong Language, Substance Use, Mentions of Child Endangerment/Exploitation A hidden enemy resurfaces with a plan that could shatter the balance of the universe... Richard's masked organization has returned, aiming to seize control of the elementals to absorb their powers. To stop them, Ferenc and Olivia must reawaken their full

Indie Reads Aloud Radio Episode # 280 Aria's Patience Project Book One of The Everyday Superpowers Series Written by Preethi Balasubramanian   Meet Aria—a curious, spirited girl who thinks waiting is a rule invented by adults. From long lunch lines to crispy dosas, nothing seems to move fast enough for her! But when her grandmother, Paati, gifts her a tiny notebook called The Patience Project , Aria is about to discover that patience isn’t boring—it’s a superpower. Through un

Indie Reads Aloud Radio Episode #279 The Five Written by James Wittenborg   Over the past twenty-five years, five friends reunite for their annual week-long getaway of comradery and adventure. This year, however, Glen Feffley suggested something different; a lake house in the quiet Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. It's quite a departure from their usual trips. Eagles Point is a small town in rural America. Weathered signs hang above storefronts along its idyllic Main

January 2026 What if the key to spiritual immortality, that elusive, encoded passport that will grant you entrance into whatever spiritual utopia you’re hoping to find one day, hinges exclusively on the books you’ve read throughout your lifetime? Consider: From the time we are very young, in nearly every culture, we are taught that the answers we seek, on almost any subject… spirituality, health and wellness, emotional stability, financial prosperity, moral and legal codes, i

Indie Reads Aloud Radio Episode # 278 DJ Yeti and The Full Moon Party Written by Kendal Grey   This Christmas, DJ Yeti drops the beat—lights burst, the Arctic roars, kids go wild. A winter rave explodes as a soft-hearted DJ returns home and finally shines. Packed with heart, humor, snowy magic, and retro-holiday art, this rare Christmas story delights both kids and exhausted grown-ups. Perfect for ages 3–8—and everyone in the room. DJ Yeti and the Full Moon Party isn’t just

Indie Reads Aloud Radio Episode # 277 Elephant Beach Written by Christine Devane   A young girl is expecting a quiet, peaceful beach day of reading--but she's in for some disappointment. It turns out elephants love to play, especially at the beach! At first, the girl is annoyed when the elephants break her beach chair. Then, they block her sun amidst other loud and distracting shenanigans. Soon, though, the girl becomes intrigued by the elephants' playful nature. She still tr

One of the most wonderful things about reading is that books never expire. For example, I recently read Shattered Echoes . It was published in 2015. Still, it hadn't grown stale on the shelf, and it didn't smell weird. The story was as vibrant the day I read it as the day it was published. This is only one small reason books are so appealing to me. But that's a blog post for another day. Ms. Shapiro has crafted a tense, creepy, and curious story. A ghost story with a tw

Indie Reads Aloud Radio Episode # 276 The Midnight Factory Written by Russell Luyt   LISTENER ADVISORY: MATURE THEMES, MATURE LANGUAGE Shimmer makes you forget—until it takes everything. In the near-future and rain-soaked New Albion, shimmer is both escape and enslavement—and the Bureau for Virtue, always watching, ensures the world stays hooked. Anouk Walker only wanted to survive until her next fix. But when a Bureau raid tears her closest friend away, she’s pulled into a R