Ep58: History comes alive: Irene Bennett’s new novel, “Battle of the Artisans,” portrays the making of the very real Bells of Marquis Yi, a 2500-year-old National Treasure of China. Don’t miss our interview at Elaine’s!

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Meet the Author: Irene Vinyard Bennett has wide experience as a writer and educational minister. Her debut novel, BATTLE OF THE ARTISANS: Making the Bells of Marquis Yi, won the International Proverse Prize of 2022. It is the first story about the Bronze-Age Bells of Marquis Yi, a National Treasure of China. An international motivational speaker, workshop leader, and minister, Irene writes and edits academic articles for theological journals in Ukraine and Myanmar, lectures online for Myanmar seminaries, and works with young families of Western Presbyterian Church in DC. She has written professionally throughout life in eight states, several countries, and now in Alexandria VA! She loves diverse cultures, speaks some Cantonese and Spanish, and has taught English to immigrants in Georgia, Florida, and multi-ethnic groups of women and university students in Hong Kong. Her favorite experiences involved sharing educational methods with church leaders in Bosnia-Herzegovina, across Asia, and with many local English teachers in China, including the faculty of a school for the blind. Fun publications include feature interviews with an Olympic Gold Medalist and an international golfer at the Masters Tournament. Irene shares: I’m a word person who loves to write about ideas and issues and create stories for readers/listeners of all ages. I’m also a people person with a sign attached, saying, “Talk, I’ll Listen.” And, along my journeys around the globe, I’ve learned to teach and lead people with clear, concise, concrete, and personable communication. I joy in encouraging people of any culture to become who they desire to be — a writer, teacher, leader, life partner, parent, or even a better Christian. My favorite compliments ever? “When Irene isn’t teaching, she’s learning.” “We always knew you would write a book!” Click here to follow Irene on LinkedIn. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/irenevinyardbennett/] About the Book: Battle of the Artisans: Making the Bells of Marquis Yi [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203664853-battle-of-the-artisans] “Battle of the Artisans,” by Irene Bennett Battle of the Artisans [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203664853-battle-of-the-artisans] tells the story of Tangtun, a conflicted, artistic twelve-year-old in 5th-century BCE China, who sets out to save his father from a killer. He crosses wits with his macho father, a vengeful king, armed thieves, and disgruntled villagers, and in the process discovers new powers that rock his Bronze-Age world. In the end, what matters most is not Tangtun’s artistic abilities or his father’s muscles and might, but the strength of acting together. This novel portrays the making of the very real Bells of Marquis Yi, a 2500-year-old National Treasure of China. No one knows exactly why these bells were made, but Bennett offers a well-researched, persuasive solution to the mystery through her story of Tangtun and his village on the Yangtze River. Every historical novel is an imagined introduction to a topic and a time. BATTLE OF THE ARTISANS invites readers to explore further the world and the science of the bells of Marquis Yi, to learn more about the early history of China, and to consider implications for the power of family and community. The author hopes that readers will connect with Tangtun and his world in ways that will enrich them and their own worlds. Click here to buy Battle of the Artisans. [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203664853-battle-of-the-artisans] About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host, Jeffrey James Higgins: [http://www.jeffreyjameshiggings.com/] A retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays, Jeff has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. Jeffrey has been interviewed by CNN, National Geographic, and The New York Times. Learn more: jeffreyjameshiggings.com [http://www.jeffreyjameshiggings.com/] Find more of Elaine’s Literary Salon events here. [https://www.elainesliterarysalon.com/] And check back for new episodes of Elaine’s Literary Salon on Inkandescent.tv [http://www.tinyurl.com/elainestv] and listen to all the podcasts on InkandescentRadio.com. [https://inkandescentradio.com/series/elaines-literary-salon/] Elaine’s Literary Salon About Elaine’s Restaurant: [https://www.elaines-restaurant.com/about/] A menu filled with delicious modern Mediterranean cuisine selections is sure to please everyone in your party. The dishes are inspired by exquisite food from Alexandria, Egypt — a blend of Middle Eastern and French, Greek, and Italian influences. Elaine’s is named for the owner’s grandmother and is based on a promise she made at the age of 12, growing up in Cairo. “I promised my grandma I would someday own a restaurant and name it after her,” shares Cynthia, who is also an author. She and her husband, bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, are proud to share my family’s recipes with new friends and families in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.” Located in an 1880s building, it was the previous home for 38 years of the beloved bistro Bilbo Baggins. The newly renovated restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town’s Historic District within sight of the Potomac River and Founders Park, just a few blocks from The Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Old Town Alexandria Waterfront. Make a reservation today: [https://www.elaines-restaurant.com/about/]elaines-restaurant.com. [https://www.elaines-restaurant.com/about/]

International bestseller J.D. Barker is coming to Elaine’s Literary Salon with his new novel, “The Probability of Murder”

When: Saturday, August 15, 2026 from noon to 3pm Where: 208 Queen Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 [https://www.elaines-restaurant.com/] We welcome debut bestselling novelist J.D. Barker to Elaine’s Literary Salon, where he’ll be sharing his latest novel, “The Probability of Murder” Our agenda for the Aug. 15 event: * Noon: Meet, greet, and order food and drinks from Elaine’s award-winning menu [https://www.elaines-restaurant.com/menus/] * 1pm: Our 45-minute interview begins, followed by a 15-minute Q&A with the audience to be produced on our popular podcast and video series [http://www.elainesliterarysalon.tv/] * 2pm: Guests talk with the author, buy the book, and get it signed! Meet the Author: J.D. Barker (Jonathan Dylan Barker) is a New York Times and international bestselling American author whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural. Born January 7, 1971 in Lombard, Illinois, J.D. spent the first 14 years of his life in Crystal Lake, Illinois. A staunch introvert, he was rarely seen without a book in hand, devouring both the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew series by the age of six before moving on to classics such as the works of Dickens and Twain. The discovery of Shelley, Stoker, and Poe fueled a fire, and it wasn’t long before he was writing tales of his own, which he shared with friends and family. These early stories centered around witches and ghosts thought to inhabit the woods surrounding their home. “The Probability of Murder,” by J.D. Barker At fourteen, Barker’s family relocated to Englewood, Florida, a climate better suited to his father’s profession as a contractor. He attended Lemon Bay High School and graduated in 1989. Knowing he wanted to pursue a career in the arts but was unsure of a direction, he enrolled at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, where he later obtained a degree in business. While in college, one of his writing assignments found its way into the hands of Paul Gallotta of Circus Magazine. Gallotta reached out to Barker and asked him to join the staff of 25th Parallel Magazine, where he worked alongside the man who would later become Marilyn Manson. Assignments dropped him into the center of pop culture, and by 1991, Barker branched out, interviewing celebrities for the likes of Seventeen, TeenBeat, and other national and local publications. In 1992, Barker syndicated a small newspaper column called Revealed, which centered around the investigation of haunted places and supernatural occurrences. While he often cites these early endeavors as a crash course in tightening prose, his heart remained with fiction. He began work as a book doctor and ghostwriter shortly thereafter, helping others fine-tune their writing for publication. Barker has said this experience proved invaluable, teaching him what works and what doesn’t in today’s popular fiction. He would continue in this profession until 2012, when he wrote a novel of his own, titled Forsaken. Stephen King read portions of Forsaken prior to publication and granted Barker permission to utilize the character of Leland Gaunt of King’s Needful Things in the novel. Indie-published in late 2014, the book went on to hit several major milestones – #2 on Audible (Harper Lee with Go Set a Watchman held #1), #44 on Amazon U.S., #2 on Amazon Canada, and #22 on Amazon UK. Forsaken was also nominated for a Bram Stoker Award (Best Debut Novel) and won a handful of others, including a New Apple Medalist Award. After reading Forsaken, Bram Stoker’s family reached out to Barker and asked him to co-author a prequel to Dracula, utilizing Bram’s original notes and journals, much of which has never been made public. The novel, titled Dracul, sold at auction to G.P. Putnam & Sons, with film rights going to Paramount. Andy Muschietti (IT, Mama) is attached to direct. Barker’s initial indie success drew the attention of traditional agents and publishers and in early 2016 his debut thriller, The Fourth Monkey, sold in a series of pre-empts and auctions worldwide with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt set to publish in the U.S. and HarperCollins in the UK. The book has also sold for both film and television. He has since gone on to write numerous titles which have appeared on bestseller lists around the world. He is also a frequent collaborator with James Patterson. Barker splits his time between Englewood, FL, and New Castle, NH, with his wife, Dayna, and their daughter, Ember. About J.D.’s newest book: The Probability of Murder [https://jdbarker.com/books/the-probability-of-murder-jd-barker/] The wrong answer can cost everything. When brilliant math professor Ivy Reeves receives a cryptic note bearing her name at a crime scene, she’s drawn into a deadly game where probability becomes a matter of life and death. Thirteen victims. Complex mathematical puzzles. A killer who understands that some games are designed to be lost. As Detective Vaughn Ryan races against the clock, he needs Ivy’s genius to decode the twisted logic behind each murder. But the closer they get to the truth, the more personal the game becomes. The killer knows Ivy’s past—the fire that destroyed her family, the secrets she’s buried, the father she visits wearing a mask over his melted skin. Every number has meaning. Every equation points to the next victim. And time is running out. From New York Times bestselling author J.D. Barker and Patrick Logan comes a pulse-pounding thriller where mathematics meets murder, and one wrong answer means death. Click here to buy The Probability of Murder. [https://jdbarker.com/books/the-probability-of-murder-jd-barker/] About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host, Jeffrey James Higgins: [http://www.jeffreyjameshiggings.com/] A retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays, Jeff has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. Jeffrey has been interviewed by CNN, National Geographic, and The New York Times. Learn more: jeffreyjameshiggings.com [http://www.jeffreyjameshiggings.com/] Find more of Elaine’s Literary Salon events here. [https://www.elainesliterarysalon.com/] And check back for new episodes of Elaine’s Literary Salon on Inkandescent.tv [http://www.tinyurl.com/elainestv] and listen to all the podcasts on InkandescentRadio.com. [https://inkandescentradio.com/series/elaines-literary-salon/] Elaine’s Literary Salon is located at Elaine’s Restaurant, 208 Queen Street, Alexandria VA About Elaine’s Restaurant: [https://www.elaines-restaurant.com/about/] A menu filled with delicious modern Mediterranean cuisine selections is sure to please everyone in your party. The dishes are inspired by exquisite food from Alexandria, Egypt — a blend of Middle Eastern and French, Greek, and Italian influences. Elaine’s is named for the owner’s grandmother and is based on a promise she made at the age of 12, growing up in Cairo. “I promised my grandma I would someday own a restaurant and name it after her,” shares Cynthia, who is also an author. She and her husband, bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, are proud to share my family’s recipes with new friends and families in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.” Located in an 1880s building, it was the former home of the beloved bistro Bilbo Baggins for 38 years. The newly renovated restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town’s Historic District within sight of the Potomac River and Founders Park, just a few blocks from The Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Old Town Alexandria Waterfront. Make a reservation today: [https://www.elaines-restaurant.com/about/]elaines-restaurant.com. [https://www.elaines-restaurant.com/about/]

1. juli 202654 min

Old Testament scholar and professor Dr. Stephen Cook brings us his newest book, “Daniel: An Exegetical & Theological Bible Commentary”

Meet the Author: Dr. Stephen L. Cook serves as the Catherine N. McBurney Professor of Old Testament Language and Literature at Virginia Theological Seminary, the largest of the accredited seminaries of the Episcopal Church (founded in 1823). He and his wife, Catherine, a psychotherapist, live on the seminary campus in Alexandria, Virginia, with their daughter from China, Rebecca. Prior to joining the VTS faculty in 1996, Stephen served on the faculty of Union Theological Seminary at Columbia University in New York City for four years. He did his doctoral training in Old Testament at Yale University after having completed the M.Div. degree at Yale’s Divinity School, where he also served as an instructor and fellow. His undergraduate work was at Trinity College, Connecticut, where he graduated with honors as a religion major in 1984. Stephen is the author of several books, including an Anchor Yale Bible on Ezekiel; Reading Deuteronomy: A Literary and Theological Commentary (Smyth & Helwys, 2015); The Apocalyptic Literature (Abingdon, 2003); The Social Roots of Biblical Yahwism (Society of Biblical Literature, 2004); and Prophecy and Apocalypticism (Fortress, 1995); Conversations with Scripture: 2 Isaiah (Morehouse, 2008), and “The Season of Epiphany” in New Proclamation Year B, 2008-2009, Advent through Holy Week (Fortress, 2008). Most recently, he has written a Anchor Yale Bible Commentary on the final visions of the prophet Ezekiel. His other publications include journal articles, introductions and annotations to biblical books for both the New Oxford Annotated Bible and the Harper Collins Study Bible, and several entries for The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible. The New Interpreter’s One Volume Bible Commentary contains his commentaries on three biblical books. He maintains a fascinating Bible Blog on the web. Stephen has served in several capacities as an officer of the Society of Biblical Literature, including as a Regional Coordinator and Regional President for the guild. He is also the Corporation Representative for Virginia Seminary to the American Schools of Oriental Research and a member of such other professional societies as the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars and the Catholic Biblical Association. He is in high demand around the country as a lecturer, seminar speaker, and workshop leader. Learn more here: drstephenlcook.com [https://drstephenlcook.com/] “Daniel,” by Dr. Stephen Cook About the Book: Highly regarded Old Testament scholar Stephen Cook offers a substantive and useful commentary on the book of Daniel and explores the contemporary significance of this prophetic book. This groundbreaking commentary departs from common rationalist approaches in order to engage Daniel’s visionary content on its own terms, introducing innovative interpretive frameworks that emphasize the cosmic scope of this biblical book and its revelations of heavenly reality. Integrating insights from fields such as analytical psychology, comparative literature, and cosmology, Cook’s approach allows the disorienting imagery of Daniel to resonate fully, offering readers fresh insights into its apocalyptic dreams and transcendent symbolism. Cook also addresses the political and theological implications of apocalyptic literature in modern spiritual and geopolitical contexts. In addition to paragraph-level commentary, all volumes of the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament series feature: * A fresh translation of the Hebrew text * Incisive comments based on the author’s translation * Linguistic, historical, and canonical insights * Concluding reflections * Footnotes addressing technical matters Pastors, teachers, and all serious students of the Bible will find here an accessible commentary that will serve as an excellent resource for their study. This volume, like each in the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament series, is grounded in rigorous scholarship but is useful for those who preach and teach. Daniel is the third volume on the prophetic books, following Hosea-Micah by John Goldingay and Isaiah by J. Gordon McConville. Series editors are Mark J. Boda, McMaster Divinity College, and J. Gordon McConville, University of Gloucestershire. Click here to buy Daniel [https://www.amazon.com/Daniel-Baker-Commentary-Old-Testament/dp/080103079X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=312EEUTZ0TJOM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JoTBDj_6r3EXJ9CdmcrkdrvHqAlDPluk8n3jxM18WJo372Sdp9ev5MsGGP3UFWVlYzxkeyJmwpOIEGDb7oxtAnCedL6jaFMnQV9De4_CZkgNGX0wVMFDnVnbmakQtrzWGoM3MzWO99IWxQENBZMeARhbcNPr9kfqjDl9rkr-wQvDx5c33nZLRrb29HA_FLy5GGWaq1vXf6B5P5YjjZjxwGHcN9L9g5fdvjUE2DuhSJU.HkMJYHQA5HOYiH9_O3w3xZr7lNc6KdHxe9Y3fPW4Vtc&dib_tag=se&keywords=stephen+cook+daniel&qid=1778873818&sprefix=stephen+cook+daniel%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-1]. About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host, Jeffrey James Higgins: [http://www.jeffreyjameshiggings.com/] A retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays, Jeff has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. Jeffrey has been interviewed by CNN, National Geographic, and The New York Times. Learn more: jeffreyjameshiggings.com [http://www.jeffreyjameshiggings.com/] Find more of Elaine’s Literary Salon events here. [https://www.elainesliterarysalon.com/] And check back for new episodes of Elaine’s Literary Salon on Inkandescent.tv [http://www.tinyurl.com/elainestv] and listen to all the podcasts on InkandescentRadio.com. [https://inkandescentradio.com/series/elaines-literary-salon/] Elaine’s Literary Salon is located at Elaine’s Restaurant, 208 Queen Street, Alexandria VA About Elaine’s Restaurant: [https://www.elaines-restaurant.com/about/] A menu filled with delicious modern Mediterranean cuisine selections is sure to please everyone in your party. The dishes are inspired by exquisite food from Alexandria, Egypt — a blend of Middle Eastern and French, Greek, and Italian influences. Elaine’s is named for the owner’s grandmother and is based on a promise she made at the age of 12, growing up in Cairo. “I promised my grandma I would someday own a restaurant and name it after her,” shares Cynthia, who is also an author. She and her husband, bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, are proud to share my family’s recipes with new friends and families in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.” Located in an 1880s building, it was the former home of the beloved bistro Bilbo Baggins for 38 years. The newly renovated restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town’s Historic District within sight of the Potomac River and Founders Park, just a few blocks from The Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Old Town Alexandria Waterfront. Make a reservation today: [https://www.elaines-restaurant.com/about/]elaines-restaurant.com. [https://www.elaines-restaurant.com/about/]

16. juni 202656 min

Ep58: History comes alive: Irene Bennett’s new novel, “Battle of the Artisans,” portrays the making of the very real Bells of Marquis Yi, a 2500-year-old National Treasure of China. Don’t miss our interview at Elaine’s!

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