The Wretched and Undone by J.E. Weiner | GSMC Book Review Podcast
Sarah speaks with J.E. Weiner, author of the award-nominated southern gothic historical fiction novel The Wretched and Undone. Set in the rugged beauty of the Texas Hill Country on the eve of the Civil War, this sweeping saga follows Polish immigrants Marcin and Agnieszka Anderwald as they seek a new beginning—only to encounter a dark force that threatens their family and faith.Inspired by real people and true events, The Wretched and Undone brings together a haunting cast of characters: immigrant settlers, Arab camel wranglers, wounded soldiers, and a songstress teetering on the edge of madness. As generations of the Anderwald family face loss, love, and unrelenting evil, the story explores what it means to endure when the past refuses to stay buried.Weiner shares how history, folklore, and faith inspired this richly atmospheric novel that has been recognized as a Killer Nashville Top Pick for 2024 and a Claymore Award Finalist for Best Southern Gothic. Listeners will hear about her research process, her fascination with the supernatural, and how she crafted a world that’s both historically grounded and chillingly supernatural.Whether you’re drawn to gothic storytelling, historical sagas, or tales of redemption and resilience, this episode promises a captivating conversation about writing, inspiration, and the shadows that shape us.Tune in to the GSMC Book Review Podcast—where readers meet the authors behind today’s most compelling stories.If you enjoyed this episode, follow and subscribe to the show: you can find us on iTunes or on any app that carries podcasts as well as on YouTube. Please remember to subscribe and give us a nice review. This way you will always be among the first to get the latest GSMC Book Review Podcasts. We would like to thank our Sponsor: GSMC Podcast NetworkApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gsmc-book-review-podcast/id1123769087GSMC YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-EKO3toL1ATwitter: https://twitter.com/GSMC_BookReviewFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/GSMCBookReview/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gsmcbookreviewTiktok: @gsmcbookreviewBluesky: @gsmcbookreview.bsky.socialGSMC Podcast Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@gsmcpodcastnetwork GSMC Sports Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GSMCSportsNetwork. GSMC Entertainment Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GSMCEntertainmentNetwork GSMC News Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GSMCNEWSNETWORK Disclaimer: The views expressed on the GSMC Book Review Podcast are for entertainment purposes only. Reproduction, copying, or redistribution of The GSMC Book Review Podcast without the express written consent of Golden State Media Concepts LLC is prohibited.
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At Least I’m Trying by Tara Hodgson | GSMC Book Review Podcast
Sarah welcomes author Tara Hodgson to discuss her emotional and thought-provoking young adult novel, At Least I’m Trying. This powerful coming-of-age story follows Reese, a teenage athlete whose dreams of playing college volleyball collapse in an instant, sending her on a search for identity, freedom, and belonging.Reese has always been the perfect daughter, student, and athlete until her world begins to crumble. Enter Cassie Brentwood: bold, spontaneous, and everything Reese wishes she could be. As Reese is drawn into Cassie’s orbit, she meets Liam, a mysterious boy whose attention feels intoxicating… until it turns dangerous. With girls disappearing from nearby towns and Liam’s behavior growing increasingly dark, Reese’s new life begins to spiral into a chilling reality she never anticipated.Through the lens of mental health, self-discovery, and resilience, At Least I’m Trying explores what it means to lose yourself—and find the strength to come back from the edge. Tara Hodgson joins Sarah for a heartfelt conversation about the pressures young people face, the power of friendship, and writing a story that shines a light on the darker corners of adolescence.Whether you’re a fan of realistic YA fiction, psychological tension, or stories of personal growth and survival, this episode is not to be missed. Tune in to hear Tara share the inspiration behind Reese’s journey, her writing process, and the importance of honest conversations around mental health in young adult literature.If you enjoyed this episode, follow and subscribe to the show: you can find us on iTunes or on any app that carries podcasts as well as on YouTube. Please remember to subscribe and give us a nice review. This way you will always be among the first to get the latest GSMC Book Review Podcasts. We would like to thank our Sponsor: GSMC Podcast NetworkApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gsmc-book-review-podcast/id1123769087GSMC YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-EKO3toL1ATwitter: https://twitter.com/GSMC_BookReviewFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/GSMCBookReview/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gsmcbookreviewTiktok: @gsmcbookreviewBluesky: @gsmcbookreview.bsky.socialGSMC Podcast Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@gsmcpodcastnetwork GSMC Sports Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GSMCSportsNetwork. GSMC Entertainment Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GSMCEntertainmentNetwork GSMC News Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GSMCNEWSNETWORK Disclaimer: The views expressed on the GSMC Book Review Podcast are for entertainment purposes only. Reproduction, copying, or redistribution of The GSMC Book Review Podcast without the express written consent of Golden State Media Concepts LLC is prohibited.
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Smoke on the Wind by Kelli Estes | GSMC Book Review Podcast
Sarah welcomes Kelli Estes, bestselling author of The Girl Who Wrote in Silk and Today We Go Home, to discuss her latest novel, Smoke on the Wind. This sweeping story connects two women—centuries apart—through love, loss, and an inexplicable bond that transcends time.Set in both contemporary and early 19th-century Scotland, Smoke on the Wind follows Keaka Denney, a mother struggling to rebuild her life after tragedy, and Sorcha Chisholm, a woman in 1801 fleeing wrongful accusation and forced from her home during the Highland Clearances. As Keaka and her son hike the West Highland Way, she begins to experience haunting visions of Sorcha’s life—a burning cottage, a desperate escape, a mother’s fierce determination to protect her child.Through powerful storytelling and vivid historical detail, Kelli Estes explores the deep ties between past and present, the strength of mothers, and the ways love endures beyond logic or time. Sarah and Kelli discuss the inspiration behind the novel, the beauty and brutality of Scotland’s history, and the emotional heart of Smoke on the Wind.Perfect for fans of dual timeline fiction, historical mysteries, and stories that celebrate courage and connection, this episode offers a heartfelt conversation about resilience, healing, and the bonds that link us across generations.If you enjoyed this episode, follow and subscribe to the show: you can find us on iTunes or on any app that carries podcasts as well as on YouTube. Please remember to subscribe and give us a nice review. This way you will always be among the first to get the latest GSMC Book Review Podcasts. We would like to thank our Sponsor: GSMC Podcast NetworkApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gsmc-book-review-podcast/id1123769087GSMC YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-EKO3toL1ATwitter: https://twitter.com/GSMC_BookReviewFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/GSMCBookReview/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gsmcbookreviewTiktok: @gsmcbookreviewBluesky: @gsmcbookreview.bsky.socialGSMC Podcast Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@gsmcpodcastnetwork GSMC Sports Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GSMCSportsNetwork. GSMC Entertainment Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GSMCEntertainmentNetwork GSMC News Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GSMCNEWSNETWORK Disclaimer: The views expressed on the GSMC Book Review Podcast are for entertainment purposes only. Reproduction, copying, or redistribution of The GSMC Book Review Podcast without the express written consent of Golden State Media Concepts LLC is prohibited.
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The Rabbi's Knight by Michael J. Cooper | GSMC Book Review Podcast
Sarah welcomes back award-winning author Michael J. Cooper to discuss his latest historical fiction novel, The Rabbi’s Knight—a thrilling prequel to his acclaimed “Empire” series.Set in 1290 at the end of the Crusades, The Rabbi’s Knight follows Knight Templar Jonathan St. Clair as he joins forces with Rabbi Samuel of Baghdad on a perilous mission through Acre and Jerusalem. When they uncover a mysterious scroll said to hold the key to the Temple Mount’s secrets, they must confront betrayal, faith, and destiny itself. Along the way, readers meet a vivid cast of characters, including Isaac of Acre, William Wallace, and the courageous Zahirah, who challenge the boundaries of faith and courage in a divided world.Michael and Sarah explore the story’s timeless themes of cross-cultural understanding, spirituality, and redemption—and how ancient conflicts echo through modern times. Michael also shares insights from his years living in Jerusalem and his extensive research into the Crusades, Kabbalah, and medieval history.Perfect for fans of historical epics like The Pillars of the Earth or The Da Vinci Code, this conversation uncovers the human stories behind centuries of faith and conflict. Tune in for an engaging, thought-provoking episode that connects past and present through history, mystery, and compassion.Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and GSMCPodcast.com—and rediscover history through a storyteller’s heart.If you enjoyed this episode, follow and subscribe to the show: you can find us on iTunes or on any app that carries podcasts as well as on YouTube. Please remember to subscribe and give us a nice review. This way you will always be among the first to get the latest GSMC Book Review Podcasts. We would like to thank our Sponsor: GSMC Podcast NetworkApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gsmc-book-review-podcast/id1123769087GSMC YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-EKO3toL1ATwitter: https://twitter.com/GSMC_BookReviewFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/GSMCBookReview/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gsmcbookreviewTiktok: @gsmcbookreviewBluesky: @gsmcbookreview.bsky.socialGSMC Podcast Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@gsmcpodcastnetwork GSMC Sports Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GSMCSportsNetwork. GSMC Entertainment Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GSMCEntertainmentNetwork GSMC News Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GSMCNEWSNETWORK Disclaimer: The views expressed on the GSMC Book Review Podcast are for entertainment purposes only. Reproduction, copying, or redistribution of The GSMC Book Review Podcast without the express written consent of Golden State Media Concepts LLC is prohibited.
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Forsaken Souls by J.M. Shaw | GSMC Book Review Podcast
Sarah welcomes J.M. Shaw, author of the gripping urban/high fantasy novel Forsaken Souls. Set in a richly imagined realm where magic and humanity collide, Shaw’s story follows Callum and Jax on a perilous quest to repair the veil separating the magical and human worlds. Their journey leads them straight into the hands of the Der’geron—an ancient enemy plotting vengeance after centuries of exile.As war looms and Queen Jobella struggles to hold her fractured kingdom together, Forsaken Souls explores themes of power, loss, and the courage to face inner darkness. Through heartbreak, moral conflict, and hauntingly vivid worldbuilding, Shaw crafts a narrative that questions what it means to fight not only for survival, but for the soul itself.Sarah and J.M. discuss the inspiration behind the novel, the challenges of balancing epic storytelling with deep emotional resonance, and the creative process of bringing complex characters like Callum and Jobella to life. Whether you’re a lifelong fantasy reader or a newcomer to the genre, this conversation offers an engaging look at how Shaw builds tension, emotion, and mythology into every page.Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on magic, redemption, and the human spirit in a world on the brink of ruin. Forsaken Souls is more than a fantasy—it’s a story about finding light even in the darkest places.If you enjoyed this episode, follow and subscribe to the show: you can find us on iTunes or on any app that carries podcasts as well as on YouTube. Please remember to subscribe and give us a nice review. This way you will always be among the first to get the latest GSMC Book Review Podcasts. We would like to thank our Sponsor: GSMC Podcast NetworkApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gsmc-book-review-podcast/id1123769087GSMC YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-EKO3toL1ATwitter: https://twitter.com/GSMC_BookReviewFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/GSMCBookReview/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gsmcbookreviewTiktok: @gsmcbookreviewBluesky: @gsmcbookreview.bsky.socialGSMC Podcast Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@gsmcpodcastnetwork GSMC Sports Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GSMCSportsNetwork. GSMC Entertainment Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GSMCEntertainmentNetwork GSMC News Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GSMCNEWSNETWORK Disclaimer: The views expressed on the GSMC Book Review Podcast are for entertainment purposes only. Reproduction, copying, or redistribution of The GSMC Book Review Podcast without the express written consent of Golden State Media Concepts LLC is prohibited.
Welcome to the GSMC Book Review Podcast, where literature comes to life through captivating conversations! Spearheaded by our remarkable host, Sarah Meckler, we dive into the fascinating realm of books, inviting authors to share their creative journeys and the inspirations behind their latest works. With Sarah's probing questions and keen insights, we delve beyond the written pages, exploring the authors' thoughts, their creative processes, and the intricate details that shape their narratives. Whether they're weaving mysteries or penning memoirs, crafting fantasy sagas or sculpting sci-fi masterpieces, Sarah uncovers the human stories behind the stories we love. But we don't stop at the authors. GSMC Book Review Podcast embraces bookworms from all walks of life. From children to teens to adults, and from the casual readers to the most avid bibliophiles, we cater to all tastes and preferences. We talk about books that spark joy, provoke thought, transport us to different worlds, and touch our hearts. Join us for a literary adventure as Sarah Meckler guides us into the enchanting world of books, one author at a time. GSMC Book Review Podcast - your personal guide to the authors' minds and the stories they weave.
South Africa