Bookable Space

Hosted by Yvonne Battle-Felton, this episode of Bookable Space features Betty Bolte with Becoming Lady Washington.Betty Bolté is an award-winning author and editor of fiction and nonfiction books. She earned a Master’s Degree in English in 2008, emphasizing the study of literature. She’s authored 25+ books, most recently Becoming Lady Washington and Notes of Love and War. She lives in Alabama with her husband.About Becoming Lady WashingtonMartha “Patsy” Custis manages an immense eighteenth-century plantation in the Virginia colony. But as a young widow she must balance her business with caring for her two young children. Her experience and education have sustained her thus far but as her life veers in an unexpected direction, she realizes she has much more to learn. When Colonel George Washington takes an interest in her, she’s convinced he’ll be a loving husband and father for her children.But when trouble in the form of British oppression, taxes, and royal arrogance leads to revolt and revolution, George must choose between duty to country and Martha. Compelled to take matters into her own hands, Martha must decide whether to remain where she belongs or go with her husband… no matter what the dangerous future may hold.

Hosted by Yvonne Battle-Felton, in this episode, author Lenore Hart reads from Waterwoman.About the book: Tiny, remote Revels Island lies just off the coast of the Eastern Shore, a remote peninsula of fishing villages that knows nothing of the partying, gin-soaked Roaring Twenties gripping the rest of the country. The Revels family work Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay for their living, and tragedy is always only one bad storm away. But, as 19-year-old Annie Revels says, “In order to live on the Shore, you need to understand that good weather always follows bad.”           Her father is a waterman, a calling she envies, though one that in 1920 no female may follow. Then he dies suddenly, and Annie must take his place aboard their boat to support her mother and younger sister. She struggles to master nets, oyster tongs, and crab traps, shunned by the other watermen. A hard, lonely life. Until one day she meets Nathan and begins to question everything she once believed about duty, loyalty, and family.

Hosted by Yvonne Battle-Felton, this episode of Bookable Space features James W. White reading from Carp Cafe.About the book: Master story-teller James W. White is back with a guaranteed good time story set in the surf-side town of Carpinteria, California in the aftermath of the horrific Thomas wildfire. Everyone's got a bit of PTSD, what with the burning mountains and rising sea levels squeezing the town from all directions. Enter Shelly Friedman, a single, 45-year old personnel counselor with a drinking problem, blowing into town for a day trip in her classic sixty-four-and-a-half Mustang. She uncovers the hidden past of a slickster named Tom, a guy she has just screened for a job back in LA. Another guy named Tom, a bartender, sparks a passing fancy. They gin up a commemorative cocktail to honor the fire-fighters who saved the town.But the man of the hour is surfer Dave, an aging beach bum who comes to Shelly's rescue when she runs over the town's favorite yellow lab. Dave's in Carpinteria because he's hiding out from Hell's Angels. His girlfriend just dumped him, leaving a note in his post office box, and ran off with a gang of unsavory characters.About the author: Jim is a California-based writer of historical, literary and science fiction. He earned an MA in U.S. History. His professional career has included military service, teaching, research librarian and technical writing. Jim is currently serving as President of his town's literary non-profit organization, Benicia Literary Arts. Jim's stories have appeared in Datura Literary Journal, The Wapshott Press, and Remington Review. His fourth novella, Carp Café launched in January 2022 through Adelaide Books.