BOOKS
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RADIO STARR: A Novel
Eva LaVette, a small-town girl with big dreams, navigates the exciting world of radio, believing that fame and prestige will validate her worth. As she juggles the pressures of her career, a shaky marriage, and the struggle to maintain her identity, after many missteps, she discovers authenticity is the key to success. Whether you worked in radio for a semester during college or made an entire career of it, this novel was made to entertain you. And if you loved listening during the era of vinyl records, you'll enjoy this peek behind the scenes at the radio life. |
RADIO STARR
Vinyl rules the airwaves, and starry-eyed Eva LaVette spins records along with the personas she has created—sexy jazz siren Billie, overnight Lizzy, perky Tanya Starr, and country Belle—all while navigating the cutthroat industry. But as her passion for radio grows, so do her challenges, from being the only woman on the air staff to the struggle of having to play repetitive, sometimes sappy music. While her cool, single friend Coco’s career takes off, Eva’s is curbed by her marriage to a frustrated musician. The discord between them and a careless mistake lead to both an affair and an assault.
Set in the Midwest to the music of the '70s and ‘80s, Eva’s story explores the cost of chasing dreams and delves into the universal struggle of how to reconcile the life we have with the life we want. For fans of Daisy Jones & The Six, Firefly Lane, Lessons in Chemistry, and WKRP in Cincinnati, RADIO STARR is a backstage pass to a journey of self-discovery and the power of tuning in to one’s own frequency.
For fans of Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Coming of Age Fiction, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Friendship Fiction, Workplace Fiction
Vinyl rules the airwaves, and starry-eyed Eva LaVette spins records along with the personas she has created—sexy jazz siren Billie, overnight Lizzy, perky Tanya Starr, and country Belle—all while navigating the cutthroat industry. But as her passion for radio grows, so do her challenges, from being the only woman on the air staff to the struggle of having to play repetitive, sometimes sappy music. While her cool, single friend Coco’s career takes off, Eva’s is curbed by her marriage to a frustrated musician. The discord between them and a careless mistake lead to both an affair and an assault.
Set in the Midwest to the music of the '70s and ‘80s, Eva’s story explores the cost of chasing dreams and delves into the universal struggle of how to reconcile the life we have with the life we want. For fans of Daisy Jones & The Six, Firefly Lane, Lessons in Chemistry, and WKRP in Cincinnati, RADIO STARR is a backstage pass to a journey of self-discovery and the power of tuning in to one’s own frequency.
For fans of Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Coming of Age Fiction, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Friendship Fiction, Workplace Fiction
What advance readers are saying:
"I adored this book and can’t wait for the sequel. The author nailed it!"
~ Liane Hansen, former NPR Weekend Edition host
"It's a unique take on radio written from a realistic but still joyous perspective. It flows... the ups and downs, the self-doubt, elation, marital strife, and 'inside radio' elements, described in a way that interesting to both radio types and avid listeners."
~ Lee Harris, former Morning News Anchor, 1010WINS New York
"I found it to be an absolutely fascinating story."
~ Brooks Kohler, Laptiast
"I adored this book and can’t wait for the sequel. The author nailed it!"
~ Liane Hansen, former NPR Weekend Edition host
"It's a unique take on radio written from a realistic but still joyous perspective. It flows... the ups and downs, the self-doubt, elation, marital strife, and 'inside radio' elements, described in a way that interesting to both radio types and avid listeners."
~ Lee Harris, former Morning News Anchor, 1010WINS New York
"I found it to be an absolutely fascinating story."
~ Brooks Kohler, Laptiast
- I'll never look at radio the same way again.
- The character in all her places are vividly drawn. It's a page-turner.
- I love how Eva loves radio. The novel puts readers into a new world.
- This was great fun to read. Engaging cast of characters, sweet insider's look at the radio and music scene, young women facing the reality of the man's world they are living in and trying to break the barriers. Well done!
- I'm pulled in. Funny stuff and crisp dialogue. A lot of atmosphere and locale. Even Wisconsin weather.
- I am usually reading two or three books at a time, and for this I set the others aside.
- I was totally immersed in the story, pulling for Eva the entire way.
Chock full of radio bits
Dead air dreams, hitting the post, accidentally saying your real name, cue burn, fun contests, breaking up with someone while you're on the air, getting locked out of the station, gifts from prisoners, having to clean the station on overnights, lips moving while listening to ads, low pay, PDs screaming on the hotline, pesky AEs, Marti units hitting power lines, radio urban legends about getting fired, live remotes, rigged contests, show prep, smoking in the studio, stuttering, taking requests, tight playlists, tumbling carts, working every holiday, wacko callers/telephone screamers, and writing ad copy: For all your (cliché ) needs is a running joke.
"Bits, spots, pots, carts. Bumpers, kickers, sweepers, liners. Programming, promotions, production, remotes!"
There's music on every page
Eva begins her radio career in jazz, then plays Lite Hits, country, and polka. Mixed into her story and her friend Coco's are disco, grunge, punk, classic rock, Motown, bluegrass, and deep-track '70s rock through alternative rock in the '90s. Each chapter is headed by a song; one that Eva would choose from her personal record collection, not the music she is forced to play on the air!
Dead air dreams, hitting the post, accidentally saying your real name, cue burn, fun contests, breaking up with someone while you're on the air, getting locked out of the station, gifts from prisoners, having to clean the station on overnights, lips moving while listening to ads, low pay, PDs screaming on the hotline, pesky AEs, Marti units hitting power lines, radio urban legends about getting fired, live remotes, rigged contests, show prep, smoking in the studio, stuttering, taking requests, tight playlists, tumbling carts, working every holiday, wacko callers/telephone screamers, and writing ad copy: For all your (cliché ) needs is a running joke.
"Bits, spots, pots, carts. Bumpers, kickers, sweepers, liners. Programming, promotions, production, remotes!"
There's music on every page
Eva begins her radio career in jazz, then plays Lite Hits, country, and polka. Mixed into her story and her friend Coco's are disco, grunge, punk, classic rock, Motown, bluegrass, and deep-track '70s rock through alternative rock in the '90s. Each chapter is headed by a song; one that Eva would choose from her personal record collection, not the music she is forced to play on the air!
LAKE MICHIGAN: THE WISCONSIN SHORE
Finalist: National Indy Excellence Awards
Lisa Lehmann
Nine Wisconsin photographers share their best images in this beautiful, glossy, hardcover book. Many are once-in-a-lifetime shots such as white-tailed deer running through the shallow waters of Lake Michigan and pictures taken while crewing on the tall ship Denis Sullivan in the Sheboygan Harbor at sunset. The book showcases over 100 gorgeous photographs along with descriptive captions, poetry and Great Lakes facts.
Photos include sunrises, sailboats, surfers, freighters, fishing boats, wildlife, lots of lighthouses and more breathtaking scenes of the lake and its shore. The book includes images of deer and sand hill cranes at Kohler-Andrae State Park, the Sheboygan lighthouse at dawn, Milwaukee skyline at night, autumn along the Kenosha Sand Dunes, the view from Eagle Tower at Peninsula State Park in Door County, grassy shore along trails at Point Beach State Park, glorious kite-filled skies at the Kite Festival in Two Rivers, the craggy bluffs at Lions Den Nature Preserve, golf at Whistling Straits, and so much more that you will not want to miss!
- This book has been on our coffee table since we got it. It is a great conversation piece and is adored by every person who picked it up.
- The photography by all the artists who submitted their photos for this book is astounding! It is definitely a must-have for anyone with a love for the Lake Michigan shoreline.
- A beautiful book created by very talented Wisconsin photographers.
- What a beautiful book! Being a Wisconsin native I am familiar with these places. The photographers caught the beauty of the shoreline. The images are crisp and clear. So glad to add this to our library.
Finalist: National Indy Excellence Awards
Lisa Lehmann
Nine Wisconsin photographers share their best images in this beautiful, glossy, hardcover book. Many are once-in-a-lifetime shots such as white-tailed deer running through the shallow waters of Lake Michigan and pictures taken while crewing on the tall ship Denis Sullivan in the Sheboygan Harbor at sunset. The book showcases over 100 gorgeous photographs along with descriptive captions, poetry and Great Lakes facts.
Photos include sunrises, sailboats, surfers, freighters, fishing boats, wildlife, lots of lighthouses and more breathtaking scenes of the lake and its shore. The book includes images of deer and sand hill cranes at Kohler-Andrae State Park, the Sheboygan lighthouse at dawn, Milwaukee skyline at night, autumn along the Kenosha Sand Dunes, the view from Eagle Tower at Peninsula State Park in Door County, grassy shore along trails at Point Beach State Park, glorious kite-filled skies at the Kite Festival in Two Rivers, the craggy bluffs at Lions Den Nature Preserve, golf at Whistling Straits, and so much more that you will not want to miss!
- This book has been on our coffee table since we got it. It is a great conversation piece and is adored by every person who picked it up.
- The photography by all the artists who submitted their photos for this book is astounding! It is definitely a must-have for anyone with a love for the Lake Michigan shoreline.
- A beautiful book created by very talented Wisconsin photographers.
- What a beautiful book! Being a Wisconsin native I am familiar with these places. The photographers caught the beauty of the shoreline. The images are crisp and clear. So glad to add this to our library.
~ A portion of the proceeds was donated to Glacial Lakes Conservancy ~
