Hopeton Hay Podcasts Hopeton Hay

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Nancy Bilyeau, author of THE ORCHID HOUR. Set in 1923 in New York City, THE ORCHID HOUR is a historical mystery novel that brings to life the age of alcohol prohibition, the rise of violence, gangs, and police corruption through the eyes of its 23 years-old female protagonist Zia, an Italian immigrant and widower whose father-in-law is murdered. The novel is populated with historical figures including Salvatore Luciana, better known as Lucky Luciano, J. Edgar Hoover, and others.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewTwitter - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com

Diverse Voices Book Review contributor Amanda Moore interviewed Walter Greason and Damian Darrell Jerry, editors of ILLMATIC CONSEQUENCES: The Clapback to Opponents of Critical Race Theory.  A collection of essays, “ILLMATIC CONSEQUENCES combines social science and hip-hop studies to address disinformation and propaganda that distorted political discourse after the 2020 election.”

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed poet Amanda Johnston, author of the poetry collection ANOTHER WAY TO SAY ENTER. She is a writer, artist, and the 2024 Texas Poet Laureate. Born in East St. Louis, IL, and raised in Austin, TX, she began writing poetry while living in Kentucky. Her writing is published widely, and she has presented at numerous literary conferences and events. Johnston is also founder of Torch Literary Arts, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established to publish and promote creative writing by Black women.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewTwitter - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.comWeb site: https://diversevoicesbookreview.wordpress.com/ 

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Rachel Howzell Hall, author of WHAT NEVER HAPPENED. Set on the Catalina Islands in California, the protagonist "Colette “Coco” Weber has relocated to her Catalina Island home, where, twenty years before, she was the sole survivor of a deadly home invasion. All Coco wants is to see her aunt Gwen, get as far away from her ex as possible, and get back to her craft—writing obituaries." In the interview Hall explained how her novel explored the problematic issues that can plague friendships between black and white women, and the barriers erected to keep Blacks away from Catalina Island when the Wrigley family purchased it in 1919.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewTwitter - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.comWeb site: https://diversevoicesbookreview.wordpress.com/ 

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Eli Merritt, author of DISUNION AMONG OURSELVES: The Perilous Politics of the American Revolution. DISUNION AMONG OURSELVES  tells the story of the deep political divisions that beset the Continental Congress during the American Revolution. So fractious were the founders’ political fights that they feared the War of Independence might end in disunion and civil war. In our interview, Merritt discussed the relevance of this history to the challenges American democracy faces today, and the dark path demagogues our driving America to. Eli Merritt is a political historian at Vanderbilt University where he researches the ethics of democracy, the interface of demagogues and democracy, and the founding principles of the United States.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewTwitter - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.comWeb site: https://diversevoicesbookreview.wordpress.com/ 

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed James Lee Burke, author of FLAGS ON THE BAYOU.   Set in Civil War era Louisiana, Burke’s novel provides a kaleidoscope of narrators that reveals the violence, pain, suffering, conflict, and beliefs that haunt the characters in this epic story.  Be sure to click on the hotlink  of James Lee Burke to learn more about the novel and author.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewTwitter - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com