BookBanter

October is also Star Wars appreciation month . . . no, that’s not true. But there is, however, a new Star Wars book — a horror novel in fact — that was released on October 13: Star Wars Death Troopers by Joe Schreiber and I had a chance to interview Joe and talk all about how he ended getting to write a Star Wars book, what this whole process was like, what it was like writing some very familiar characters, as well as a some tough questions like: “What’s your favorite Star Wars movie?” and “If you could be a Star Wars character, who would you be?” Schreiber also has another book out simultaneously, an original horror novel called No Doors, No Windows, which is also reviewed in this episode. And since it was a pretty short interview, I was able to feature some other reviews in the episode: Distant Early Warnings: Canada’s Best Science Fiction edited by Robert J. Sawyer, Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and my two humorous reviews for Brandon Sanderson’s Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians and Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener’s Bones.

And here’s a photo of me and Joe at a recent signing:

If you would like to purchase any of these books, click on the covers below:

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After enjoying this episode, why not check out the new BookBanter Blog, which I try my very best to update daily.

Otherwise, I’ll see you next time, on November 1st, where I’ll hopefully be interviewing author Seth Grahame-Smith, author of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and we’ll also be talking about what else he’s working on.

Until then, keep reading!

Alex C. Telander.

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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and I’m very proud to welcome bestselling medical thriller author Kathryn Fox to BookBanter in Episode 17 where we talk about her latest book Bloodborn, which is about a girl whose sister is killed, while she is raped and left for dead.  It is the gruesome and heart-rending story of a girl wanting to forget about what happened to her, but needing to face her demons to put her perpetrators behind bars.  But with the help of forensic pathologist Anya Crichton, she may get her wish to come true.

Fox also talks about the “Give a Victim a Voice” campaign she is part of with other bestselling authors Kathy Reichs, Linda Fairstein, and Robin Burcell.  In addition to being popular authors, each of these women has worked with cases of sexual assault and domestic violence.  Fox is very candid in sharing some of her shocking and at times unbelievable stories which become part of what she calls “reality fiction,” as she inserts these real life occurrences into her novels.  She also discusses what the average reader can do to educate themselves and others about domestic violence awareness.

It was a pleasure to talk with Kathryn Fox and share her thoughts and ideas on such an important subject that has tended to be pushed to the wayside in our society which abhors facing facts that are ugly and unseemly.

My hope is that through this episode of BookBanter, I will first help educate listeners on domestic violence awareness — I certainly learned a lot in talking with Kathryn — and encourage the BookBanter readers and listeners to gets others to listen to this interview and help spread the word and knowledge about Domestic Violence Awareness.

As Kathryn says in the interview, we want sexual assault and domestic violence awareness to become as focused, important, and as center stage as the other cause being respected this month: Breast Cancer Awareness.

If you would like to purchase any of Kathryn Fox’s books, please click on the book covers below:

The interview with Kathryn Fox is followed by my review with the author of The Time Traveler’s Wife, Audrey Niffenegger’s latest book, Her Fearful Symmetry, which can be purchased here:

This episode of BookBanter is brought to you by East Bay and Footlocker, leading world suppliers of athletic footwear, apparel and sports equipment, featuring top athletic brands such as Adidas, Reebok, Converse, and Nike. Go to East Bay.com and use the code AFBOOK15 to receive 15% off your order, or the code AFBOOK20 to receive 20% off your order of $75 or more. Or go to Footlocker.com and use the code AFBOOKFL to receive 15% off your order.

After enjoying this episode, please check out the new BookBanter Blog, which I try my very best to update daily.  And head on over to the BookBanter site for six new book reviews.

Otherwise, I’ll see you next time, on October 15th, where I’ll be interviewing author Joe Schreiber and we’ll be talking all about his new book, Death Troopers.

Until then, keep reading!

Alex C. Telander.

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