Hi. I'm Joan Renner, and I have a passion for true crime. I am an author, social historian, and TV commentator. My interest in true crime began in grammar school. I was 7 years old when I read about the kidnapping and murder of three boys near the Chicago suburb where I lived with my family. I followed the case, and a month after they found the boys, one father died. He had a heart attack, which I read as a broken heart. The story stuck with … [Read more...]
Catch Arthur Kane on “White House Chronicle” & Pre-Order His Investigative Triumph, THE LAST STORY
Arthur Kane recently appeared on PBS's White House Chronicle to discuss the risky world of investigative journalism and the murder of courageous reporter Jeff German. The story is set in the gritty reality of Las Vegas and provides a deep insight into the dangerous nature of the profession. Watch the episode now to dive into the conversation. The growing risks for journalists from White House Chronicle on Vimeo. His upcoming book, titled THE … [Read more...]
Random Passage Challenge for RUBICON: Book Two in the Spy-fi ‘Timberwolf’ Series!
By Tom Julian As an author, sometimes you're asked to pick a passage from your latest book-either to read it aloud during a podcast or to paste into a blog post. You pick an action scene or a dramatic moment that you think will resonate with the audience. I've been asked to do this many times, and I'm happy to oblige-and I have my favorite passages ready to go! But that always feels so controlled to me. Of course, I'm going to showcase what I … [Read more...]
Christian Romance Author Janice Boekhoff Answers the Question, “Why Romance?”
Even if you're the type who thinks of romance novels as unrealistic fantasy drivel-the offensiveness enhanced by a cover with Fabio's hair swaying and pecs bulging-I would make the case that you still root for love in whatever genre of books and movies you prefer. Something deep inside us can't help loving an authentic love story. The movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith, starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, is a perfect example and one of my favorite … [Read more...]
From Pages to Screens, Author Mike Rothmiller Brings Historical True Crimes to Life
Congratulations to internationally bestselling authors Douglas Thompson and Mike Rothmiller. According to the Arizona Author's Association, their latest work, Prime Witness: Shocking True Stories from the 17th, 18th & 19th Centuries, Volume 2, has been optioned for television adaptation, bringing these historical true crimes from the United Kingdom to a broader audience. In anticipation of Prime Witness, we recommend diving into TRUE CRIME … [Read more...]
Author Tom Julian Recounts His Recent TIMBERWOLF Book Signing at Barnes & Noble
"How do you spell "Noble?" I replied to the clerk who had asked if I needed anything. She smiled and said, "N-O-B-L-E." I was making a post for Facebook. I had slipped away from the book signing for a moment to snap a photo of my first novel-real copies, in a real bookcase, in a real store. TIMBERWOLF was on the spine in a blocky stylized font with cool, strategically placed nicks in each letter. My name in the same treatment was at the … [Read more...]
Contrasting the Memoir ESCAPE FROM MARIUPOL and Oscar-winning Documentary “20 Days in Mariupol”
Congratulations to the creators of "20 Days in Mariupol" for winning best documentary. The film reveals a ghostly city landscape. Where were all the civilians? They were hiding underground. What was it like for the masses to live in basements without water, food, or heat? How did they handle having to sleep beside corpses? If you want to know more, I encourage you to read "Escape from Mariupol: A Survivor's True Story." -Anne K. Howard The city … [Read more...]
Meet Romance Author Jill Rice!
Jill's Story Jill Rice's journey began amidst the bustling streets of Atlanta, Georgia, where she spent her formative years. However, her story unfolds far beyond city limits, taking her to some of the most enchanting and magical places on Earth. From the vibrant seascapes of Mexico to the serene beauty of Colorado and the coastal allure of Georgia and South Carolina beaches, Jill's life has been an adventure. Currently, she calls a quaint … [Read more...]
Meet Author Jeff Ignatowski!
My fascination with true crime started at an early age. I was born in 1980 and grew up in Murder Town, U.S.A., otherwise known as Wilmington, Delaware, about 40 minutes outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I ran the streets during some of the most violent history that region of the United States has ever seen. I grew up listening to stories of my dad's mob connection; he had a relationship with Angelo Bruno, the deceased boss of Philadelphia, … [Read more...]
From Athlete to Author: Kevin B. DiBacco’s Journey of Overcoming Adversity and Pushing Past Limits
I'm Kevin, a 60-something artist, writer, and lifelong athlete who's been through the wringer and come out stronger on the other side. I've lived three distinct lives: as an athlete, a filmmaker, and now as a best-selling author. My latest endeavor, the memoir THE GABARDINE GANG: Power and Betrayal in Hartford's Mob Scene, coming out March 12, 2024, dives into my family's history within the gritty underworld of 1950s and 1960s Hartford, … [Read more...]
