Book Spectrum

Why do relationships fail—and more importantly, how can they be saved? On this episode of Book Spectrum, host Chris Cordani sits down with physician and relationship expert Dr. R. E. Geffner, author of 20 Reasons People Dump Each Other: The Foundation of Healthy Relationships. Drawing from years of experience and real-world insights, Dr. Geffner breaks down the most common reasons couples fall apart—and the tools needed to prevent it. With divorce rates remaining high, Dr. Geffner explains that many people simply lack the communication skills, emotional awareness, and practical tools necessary to navigate conflict. His book identifies key relationship pitfalls and provides actionable strategies to help couples reconnect, communicate effectively, and build stronger partnerships. Throughout the conversation, Chris and Dr. Geffner explore how small, unresolved issues can grow into resentment, how lack of time and attention can damage relationships, and why understanding your partner’s emotional and physical needs is essential for long-term success. 🔍 In this episode, you’ll learn:The most common reasons men and women leave relationshipsWhy communication breakdown leads to resentment and disconnectionHow emotional neglect and lack of attention impact relationshipsThe importance of appreciation, respect, and physical connectionHow to handle conflict when life gets busy and stressfulWhy many couples struggle after retirement or when kids leave homePractical tools to improve communication and rebuild connectionDr. Geffner emphasizes that every relationship requires work, time, and intentional effort—and that awareness is the first step toward preventing separation or divorce. 📘 Get the book:20 Reasons People Dump Each Other👉 https://www.amazon.com/Reasons-People-Foundation-Healthy-Relationships-ebook/dp/B0CWZZS6PY/ 🎙️ Listen now to gain real-world tools that can strengthen your relationship—and maybe even save it.

In this powerful and deeply moving episode of Book Spectrum, host Chris Cordani speaks with author Lucette Walters about her novel Light of the Desert—a harrowing, eye-opening story inspired by real events and lived experiences surrounding arranged marriages, honor violence, and the oppression of women across cultures and borders. Set between 1993 and 2001, Light of the Desert follows Nora, a young woman who flees an abusive arranged marriage and becomes the target of an honor killing, forcing her on a desperate journey across continents. Walters reveals how a childhood experience in Egypt—learning of a ten-year-old girl married to a much older man—haunted her for decades and ultimately compelled her to tell this story. Book Spectrum 12 12 3pm eastern… Throughout the conversation, Walters and Cordani explore the uncomfortable reality that honor violence is not a relic of the distant past, nor confined to far-off places. The episode addresses how these practices continue today—in parts of the Middle East, Europe, the UK, and even the United States—often hidden behind cultural silence, fear, and misplaced accusations of intolerance. Topics discussed in this episode include:The real-world inspiration behind Light of the DesertArranged marriages and honor killings in modern societyHow cultural traditions can be weaponized against womenWhy victims are often betrayed by their own familiesThe psychological complexity of abusers and enablersWhy these crimes are frequently ignored or silencedThe importance of awareness, vigilance, and interventionWalters’ personal connection to the locations and characters in the novelHow the book is being developed into a feature filmWalters also explains why she chose to give every character—including perpetrators—a fully realized emotional perspective, allowing readers to understand how belief systems, jealousy, power, and fear intersect to create tragic outcomes.📘 Order the book: Light of the Desert👉 https://www.amazon.com/Light-Desert-Lucette-Walters/dp/1425977480🎬 Coming Soon: Light of the Desert is currently in development as a feature film.🎙️ Listen now to a conversation that sheds light on a hidden global crisis—and why telling these stories can help save lives

Chris Cordani sits down with Scott Lorenz, one of the most respected book publicists in the industry and the founder of Westwind Book Marketing. With more than three decades of experience promoting books across every major genre, Scott breaks down what authors really need to know after they finish writing their book—and why publishing is only the beginning. Scott shares practical, real-world advice for aspiring and established authors navigating today’s crowded publishing landscape. From Amazon self-publishing and media outreach to book titles, cover design, social media strategy, and press releases, this episode delivers a masterclass in modern book promotion. In this episode, you’ll learn:What aspiring authors should do before they write their first bookWhy publishing on Amazon is easier than ever—and what most authors get wrongHow professional book publicity actually works behind the scenesWhy book titles and subtitles matter more than most authors realizeThe biggest mistakes authors make when marketing their own booksHow radio, TV, podcasts, and print media fit into a smart publicity strategyGuerrilla and “stealth” book marketing techniques that actually workThe role of social media, memes, press releases, and Amazon ads in book salesWhy most authors aren’t ready for national media—and how to get thereHow AI is changing publishing, publicity, and content creationWhat authors should look for when hiring a book publicistScott also discusses his own journey into book marketing, his experience working with high-profile authors, and why every book has an audience—it’s just a matter of finding it. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a self-published author, or someone preparing to launch your next book, this episode offers practical guidance, honest industry insight, and actionable strategies to help your book stand out in a competitive market.🌐 Learn more about Scott Lorenz and West Wind Book Marketing:WestWindBookMarketing.com 🎙️ Listen now and discover how successful authors turn books into visibility, credibility, and lasting impact.

I remember when my father built his first deck. It was a small one at one side of the pool. Years later, he took it to a new level where he built one connected to the house with sliding glass doors, a grilling and dining area leading to the pool. That was decades ago, but my first experience with a deck as not simply a platform, but a living and entertainment space. Fast forward to 2025, Deck Rebellion: Revolutionary Concepts for Outdoor Living takes deck design up several notches (as the great Casey Kasem used to say) into a dimension so fascinating, it is limited only by one’s imagination.Sean McAleer, founder of Deck Remodelers, winner of a plethora of prestigious awards, offers us not only a look into his own mind and skill, but a trending attitude toward decks as not only a place to enjoy a newspaper and grill burgers, but as the centerpiece of a backyard resort. We all enjoy going to 5-star hotels with beautiful outdoor deck areas, why not have one at home? This book not only let’s the reader explore his or her potential with photos of McAleer’s heralded work, but a series of short story testimonials from those whose backyards he and his company enchanted.The decks shown in this book not only epitomize the new wave in yard-wide reimagination but also reveal how much McAleer loves a challenge and takes true joy in improving people’s lives through their homes. Why not, as he says, bring what you enjoy about the inside of your home outside? While the photos inspire imagination and offer readers a chance to think about the possibilities for their own backyard paradise, McAleer also offers practical advice to those who want to take on one of their own Deck Rebellions. He conveys what a well-conceived and quality-constructed deck can do for a home both to its aesthetic and investment valueAbout Sean McAleer: Sean McAleer, President of Deck Remodelers, is a third-generation carpenter and cabinet maker who has redefined outdoor living through visionary deck design. Under his leadership, Deck Remodelers has become a trailblazer in the industry, earning over 70 national design awards and holding the distinction of being the most award-winning deck design firm in North America since 2010. A pioneer in his field, Sean was among the first members of NADRA (North American Deck & Railing Association), where he has been actively involved for almost 15 years. His expertise has also earned him a place on Infratech’s Visionary Committee, as well as a panelist spot on the Luxe Interiors & Design webinar. Beyond his groundbreaking work in deck design, Sean is an avid traveler, a passionate Harley-Davidson enthusiast, and a dedicated family man, married with four children. Check out his website https://deckremodelers.com/.

Kristin Casey wrote about her wild and interesting life with her previous book, Rock Monster: My Life with Joe Walsh, but follows up with Casey Dancer: A Memoir About Dating, Stripping, and a Little Hot Yoga , where she reveals more about herself beyond life in the proverbial fast lane.Many people who watch television and read tabloids thing of celebrity girlfriends as one-dimensional arm candy and dancers as paid live window dressing, but rarely see there are real human beings underneath the surface of that their eyes show them.Ms. Casey offers a look at the real person beyond a pretty face in Casey Dancer. She shows the reader more of her own life, thoughts and inner conflict with herself within what could be considered a follow-up to her first book as much as a sequel to her life. Kristin goes in-depth about her recovery, dating philosophy, professional struggles, personal vulnerabilities and how they all helped her grow, prosper as well as flourish.: Kristin is a recovered alcoholic and addict who’s rigorously inventoried her every resentment and relinquished ninety percent of them. She’s survived clinical depression, numerous addictions, the panhandle of Texas, and seventeen years of Catholicism. Her first book, Rock Monster: My Life with Joe Walsh, documents a tumultuous six-year relationship with rock legend and Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh, their drug-fueled train-wreck breakup, and her ensuing suicidal spiral. Her writing has appeared in The Foliate Oak Literary Magazine, The Nervous Breakdown, Please Kill Me, $pread, The Fix, and more. Her expertise resides in addiction, dependency, intimacy, and sexuality, with particular knowledge of the commercial sex industry. She resides in Austin, Texas, where she worked as a certified sexuality counselor, intimacy coach, and IPSA-trained Surrogate Partner. Recently retired, Kristin is now a full-time author of both memoirs and screenplays. Visit her website at www.KristinCasey.com

What’s Your Exit Strategy? opened my eyes to the future outside of running my business. While we tend to focus on staying strong and expanding, Linda Jensen offers us valuable advice so we can be ready for outside hurdles and what to do when it’s time to sell.Often we see books, and valuable ones, helping small and mid-size business owners build and strengthen. There are also plenty of books about life after retirement. Ms. Jensen’s book is unique and important as she teaches us in a pleasantly unorthodox way how to prepare for the ending of one’s business whether it be preparing to sell it or setting up a succession plan. What’s Your Exit Strategy? also helps those whose businesses might be suffering from an economic downturn, aiding someone who needs to transition from that particular endeavor to another venture. As a business owner, I have always looked toward running my day-to-day operations, servicing clients and looking for new challenges. Reading Ms. Jensen’s book has me more prepared for when the time comes to cash in on the many years of hard work, navigate the hoops one must travel through and look toward a nice post-business ownership life.This is not a typical procedural “how to” book. Inside What’s Your Exit Strategy?, the reader will find lessons learned from the successes and failures of others who told their stories as Ms. Jensen narrates and delves into relatable, even when unanticipated, potential situations. These true tales keep the attention of the curious business owner whose time, frankly, is valuable and perhaps would not want to labor through a droning instruction pamphlet.What’s Your Exit Strategy? is an extremely valuable book for Boomer and Gen X business owners who need to look ahead to very serious concerns outside the confines of the work days from not only Ms. Jensen’s expertise, but also through the experiences of others.Get the book here: Amazon.com: What Is Your Exit Strategy: Maximize Your Business Mindset. Minimize the Minefields: 9781948261890: Jensen, Linda: Books

Book Spectrum is extremely honored to have Gen. John G. Kulhavi on with us to talk about his life and the biography written about hin titled: NO SOLDIER LEFT BEHINDThe phrase “No soldier left behind” has been repeated by many and practiced by true leaders. Author Don Steele offers the reader a look into the life of one of those great leaders: Army Brigadier General John G. Kulhavi in his book titled “NO SOLDIER LEFT BEHIND.”Often, we hear from military leaders who are now regular pundits on television. General Kulhavi stepped away from a potentially waiting spotlight after serving in Vietnam and rising through the Army ranks to take a quieter path as a financial advisor. There, he altered the history of the financial industry – quietly and humbly – by convincing fellow military man, Morgan Stanley CEO Donald Regan, to go with his idea to employ investment teams rather than individuals to make important decisions for their clients. Through Don Steele, we learn what makes a truly brave, yet humble hero as the author takes the reader back to the General’s influences during his younger days, including from his mother who owned a store in a small Michigan town where they moved. He learned to virtue of selflessness and “no man left behind” from his mother and perhaps from after his dad left the family ,The biographer keeps sure to describe Gen. Kulhavi’s early life and his having to help lead his family at a young age as important in shaping his leadership and life principles. In the book, we not only learn of the General’s leadership and personal virtues which shaped him, but how he treated opportunities. Steele describes how Gen. Kuhlavi found a life-changing opportunity to join the ROTC while in college, leading to an officer’s commission, his battles, hardships and recovery from his plane being shot down during the Vietnam War and his innovative thought while working within the private sector. Having been close with the General (they were college roommates), Steele brings us not simply a great man and his exploits, but a real look at what made him not only accomplished and a great leader, but also what out of his personal life and experience built his attitude, drive, leadership acumen and humility. Those who delve into the General’s life in the book will find there is more to a man than his deeds (whether they are life-changing ones or perhaps small victories) while younger people reading will learn what true leadership is about and perhaps offer someone to whom they can look up and aspire toward. Powered by Get RX Meds Now: https://www.getrxmedsnow.com

Harry Houdini’s magic, career and life were all fascinating. He escaped all kinds of restraints, encasements and situations. Still, there was one thing even the great Houdini could not escape: mortality, which hit him at an early age in 1926. He did, however, say he would try. Houdini reportedly told his wife, Bess, “If there is any way out. I will find it… I will find you and I will make contact with you on the anniversary of my death.” While that never happened, the escape artists’ fascination with spirituality and communication with those in the afterlife from his attempts to contact his deceased mother though to his own passing provide the background for this highly intriguing “what if” historical fiction book, Houdini’s Last Handcuffs, by Charles C. Young and Cheryl L. Young.The Young siblings drew from their own childhood and family background, providing a real-life scenario for the book. Their father, Morris Young, was a stellar magician in his own right and hugely influenced by Houdini. In this alternative world, the authors take Houdini’s own dabblings into the spiritual realm to a new level, hypothesizing the potential of the performer’s resurrection.Charles and Cheryl Young brilliantly balance Houdini’s own explorations into spiritualism, skepticism of the realm’s grifters, real artifacts from the escapologist’s performance years and the showman’s mystique while telling a captivating story through their younger selves’ eyes about what started as a mere curiosity which snowballed into a battle between good and evil involving not only powerful forces, but their own childhood friends.Pick up the book here: Houdini's Last Handcuffs by Charlie and Cheryl Young - VINE LEAVES PRESS

As someone whose hair is thinning, I was intigued when hearing about Laser Phototherapy (LPT), which is eight times more powerful than any drug. That's why I invited former NASA scientist Sayyid Tamim Hamid, LPT's inventor and author of the book Grow it Back, as the first and only book to cover all aspects of laser treatment for hair. Tamim references extensive clinical studies and translates decades of research into easy-to-grasp terms so anyone can appreciate the benefits of this technology.Grow it Back could be a benchmark guide to understanding hair, a step by step guide on how to stop and regrow one’s hair and LPT through research, development, and innovation while educating readers about the advantages of using LPT over other types of treatmentBroken down into distinct sections, Grow it Back covers every aspect of hair growth and loss, hair treatments, and LPT, as well as the science behind how lasers can stop and regrow hair using LPT, Tamim’s own invention for treating hair loss. He begins with a discussion on the benefits and uses of light in health and the medical field. Next, he dives deep into the science behind hair, covering everything readers could possibly want to know about hair. This includes what types of shampoos to use, why biotin is worthless, what supplements are best for hair loss, and much more.Get the book here: Grow It Back: How Laser Phototherapy Stops Hair Loss and Regrows Your Hair - Kindle edition by Hamid, Tamim. Professional & Technical Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Did you know that the way a child breathes will impact every aspect of their development including their sleep quality, learning, behaviour, jaw and facial development, speech, and future health? Dr, Sherren Lim wrote Breathe, Sleep, Thrive to connect the dots to help you identify the important developmental milestones for good airway health development and breathing, the red flags that indicate things are off track, and what can be done about it to help your child not just survive, but thrive.I found this quite a bit intriguing as it affected my own health from youth into adulthood. This book is an excellent resource for parents whose children may be experiencing the same issues. Their lives could be changed for the betterPick up Dr. Lim's book here: Breathe, Sleep, Thrive: Discover how airway health can unlock your child’s greater health, learning, and potential : Lim, Shereen: Amazon.com.au: BooksDr Shereen Lim is a Perth based dentist with a post graduate diploma in dental sleep medicine from the University of Western Australia.She has been involved in the team management of snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea for over a decade.Dr Lim is dedicated to promoting airway health from infancy as an alternative approach to minimize the development of these problems, and is author of the book “Breathe, Sleep, Thrive: Discover How Airway Health Can Unlock Your Child’s Greater Health, Learning and Potential.”Her work in private practice is restricted to tongue tie management from infancy to adulthood, early interceptive orthodontics and myofunctional therapy.

September 4, 1967, marks a gruesome and terrifying day for U.S. Marine soldiers stationed in Vietnam. Based on 50 interviews with veterans, author Doyle Glass conveys what it was really like on the front lines of Operation Swift in the newest edition of his novel: Swift Sword: The True Story of the Marines of Mike 3/5 in Vietnam, 4 September 1967.This exploration of this operation comes from firsthand experiences and extensive research, culminating in a book that truly shows the impact of war as well as the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers.As someone with over a dozen combat vets in my family, Doyle Glass details the beginning of this 11-day operation in Swift Sword by recounting what the Marines witnessed, quoting their own words. Their accounts are shocking, brutal, and most importantly, very real.This is probably as close as one can get to reliving the terror of up-close personal combat without actually being there. Doyle tells the story in the book and joins us on Books Spectrum Doyle fills the book with detailed research on the operation, including maps, photos, and a glossary of military terms. For anyone interested in military history, this book provides an unparalleled look into Operation Swift.Swift Sword on Amazon: Amazon.com: Swift Sword: The True Story of the Marines of MIKE 3/5 in Vietnam, 4 September 1967 eBook : Glass, Doyle : Kindle StoreDoyle Glass is an author, historian, and sculptor dedicated to honoring those who fought for freedom. He is a master at recounting true stories of brave men and women who were outnumbered and out-gunned but continued to battle toe-to-toe with ferocious opponents in war. Doyle Glass was born in Midland, Texas among the fifth generation of a pioneer ranching family who was raised with an appreciation for hard work, adventure, and honor. After earning degrees in history and law from Southern Methodist University, he completed law school and worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Texas. Later, he served as Assistant Attorney General in Kentucky, prosecuting some of the worst violent crimes in the state. In 2000, Glass turned to the arts as a way to tell stories of his childhood heroes. He conceived and sculpted a bronze statue of John Squires, who braved enemy fire to save others during WWII and received the Medal of Honor. The statue stands in downtown Louisville, Kentucky as a reminder of the sacrifices made by local citizens who fought and died for freedom. In 2008, Glass designed and sculpted the Texas Medal of Honor Memorial, dedicated to George O’Brien who earned the Medal of Honor during the Korean War. The memorial stands at the International Artillery Museum in Saint Jo, Texas as a symbol recognizing those who earned America’s highest award for combat valor.

Many know Marilyn Monroe as the iconic movie star through her on-screen persona. On Book Spectrum's Season 3 finale, we will bring you a look the Hollywood legend as you never knew her, far from the spotlight.Biographer Jay Margolis, author of ‘My Maril, Marilyn Monroe, Ronald Reagan, Hollywood and Me.” tells Marilyn's personal story through the eyes of Terry Karger, whose family were close friends of the sliver screen legend dating back to when she was known as "Norma Jeane" and the young narrator's babysitter.Jay discusses Terry's memories of Ms. Monroe, who she really was when not pretending to be the "dizzy blonde" sterrotype, how Marilyn was an influence in Terry's own life and career, her loves and relationships away from the paparazzi and tabloids as well as both Jay's and Terry's thoughts on the mysterious circumstances surrounding the acclaimed actress' death. In the book, Terry also recalls her interactions and personal relationships with other members of the Hollywood Hierarchy like Ronald Reagan, Jane Wyman and many more.Pick the book up here: My Maril: Marilyn Monroe, Ronald Reagan, Hollywood, and Me: Karger, Terry, Margolis, Jay, Reagan, Michael: 9781637583265: Amazon.com: Books About Terry Karger: Terry Karger graduated from the University of Southern California in 1963, one year after Marilyn Monroe's death. She taught at Crescent Heights Elementary and would later teach at Westwood Elementary where her students had parents such as Micky Dolenz, Millie Perkins, Ronny Cox, and Richard Pryor.About Jay Margolis: New York Times bestselling author Jay Margolis graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California and became a Jesse Unruh Research Scholar for his paper on African American Reparations. On October 15, 2014, The National Press Club in Washington, D.C. accepted Margolis's book The Murder of Marilyn Monroe: Case Closed for display at the 37th Annual Book Fair & Authors' Night, in partnership with Politics & Prose. The Murder of Marilyn Monroe: Case Closed was translated into Italian, French, and Russian and became a New York Times bestseller. Jay Margolis appeared in the 2014 United Kingdom documentary, directed by Renny Bartlett, titled The Missing Evidence: The Death of Marilyn Monroe, a Blink Films production in association with the Smithsonian Channel.