Introducing The Journey Within — Dreams Across Borders: A Story of Family, Courage, and Goals

Hey there, DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here and I’m thrilled to finally share something very close to my heart — my new book, The Journey Within: Dreams Across Borders. This story is a labor of love, written from my perspective as a daughter, telling the remarkable life of my father.

The Journey Within is about more than immigration or achieving success — it is about courage, perseverance, and the quiet determination it takes to build a life from the ground up in a new country. My father left South America with little more than hope, a few crumpled bills, and a dream of reuniting with his mother in North America.

When he first arrived, he worked in factories and took on whatever jobs he could find. It was far from easy, and the hours were long, but my father never lost sight of his goals. Through determination, hard work, and resilience, he steadily built a life filled with opportunities, eventually creating a home, raising a family, and sharing his love for the world and its possibilities.

In the book, I share not only the milestones of his life — from those first days in America to becoming a father, traveling the world, and becoming an American citizen — but also the small, intimate moments that shaped him: the wonder in children’s eyes as he drove a school bus, the joy of discovering new cities, and the lessons he quietly passed on through his actions.

This story is for anyone who has ever faced the uncertainty of leaving the familiar behind, who has dared to dream, and who believes that courage and perseverance can shape not just one life, but generations to come. By sharing my father’s journey, I hope to honor the sacrifices he made, the lessons he taught, and the life he built — all of which made it possible for me to tell his story today.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I’m so excited to share The Journey Within with you, and I hope it inspires reflection, hope, and a renewed appreciation for the courage it takes to create a life of purpose.

Stay tuned for upcoming posts where I’ll share behind-the-scenes stories, the travels mentioned in the book, and the moments that didn’t make it into the final pages. Thanks, DETECTIVES!

Buy my book on Amazon

Buy my ebook on Amazon

Buy my hardcover book on Amazon

It is now available on Amazon, Goodreads, Google Books, and pretty much wherever you get your books!

Meet Our Brand New Guest: Detective Writer (Part 3: The Final Chapter)

Hey there, DETECTIVES!

DETECTIVE WRITER here—back for the final installment of this special three-part interview series, where I’ve stepped away from the host’s chair and into the guest seat!

I’m joined once again by my friend and fellow podcaster, Mike Garcia, who returns to guide this final conversation as we close out this special series centered around my writing journey and my second book, The Journey Within: Dreams Across Borders.

In this finale, we bring everything full circle.

This episode takes a deeper look at the heart of the book—its message, its meaning, and what I truly hope readers carry with them long after the final page. We explore not only the story itself, but also the life behind it: the emotions, the reflections, and the realities of home, family, and identity that helped shape this work from the inside out.

This final chapter is a personal one—an honest conversation about legacy, belonging, and the deeper purpose behind telling stories that matter.

Let’s get into it.

Please feel free to check out the link below to learn more about The Journey Within: Dreams Across Borders. It’s available on Amazon, Goodreads, Google Books, and pretty much wherever you get your books!

Amazon

Please feel free to check out the links below for more of Mike Garcia’s incredible work.

Website

Instagram: MikeGarciaVO

TikTok: VoiceofGarcia


Meet Our Brand New Guest: Detective Writer (Part 2: The Heart Behind the Story)

Hey there, DETECTIVES!

DETECTIVE WRITER here—back again for Part 2 of this special three-part interview series, where I’ve stepped into the guest seat!

I’m joined once more by my friend and fellow podcaster, Mike Garcia, who continues to take over the host’s chair as he interviews me about my writing journey and my second book, The Journey Within: Dreams Across Borders.

In this episode, we go deeper.

We move beyond the surface and into the heart of the story—my motivations for writing this book, the inspiration behind it, and what I truly hope readers take away from it. This conversation is especially meaningful to me, as I open up about the personal drive behind sharing my father’s immigration story and the message I hope resonates with each of you.

This episode is all about purpose, passion, and the “why” behind the words.

Let’s get into it.

Please feel free to check out the link below to learn more about The Journey Within: Dreams Across Borders. It’s available on Amazon, Goodreads, Google Books, and pretty much wherever you get your books!

Amazon

Please feel free to check out the links below for more of Mike Garcia’s incredible work.

Website

Instagram: MikeGarciaVO

TikTok: VoiceofGarcia

Meet Our Brand New Guest: DETECTIVE WRITER (Part 1 of a Special 3-Part Interview Series)

Hey there, DETECTIVES!

DETECTIVE WRITER here—switching things up for today’s post! Instead of introducing a fellow author, I’m stepping into the spotlight myself.

Today, I’m joined by my friend and fellow podcaster, Mike Garcia, who’s taking over the host’s chair to interview me about my writing journey. This is the first episode in a special three-part series about my experiences as a writer and the story behind my second book, The Journey Within: Dreams Across Borders.

This book is especially close to my heart, as it’s inspired by my father’s immigration story and the journey that shaped our family.

In this first episode, we begin at the foundation—how it all started, what led me to write this story, and the path that brought this book to life.

Let’s get into it.

Please feel free to check out the link below to learn more about The Journey Within: Dreams Across Borders.

Amazon

Please feel free to check out the links below for more of Mike Garcia’s incredible work.

Website

Instagram: MikeGarciaVO

TikTok: VoiceofGarcia

Meet Our Brand New Guest: Marc Ross!

Hey there, DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here excited to introduce you to fellow author, Marc Ross! Marc is an internationally acclaimed writer whose latest thriller, Attacking the Dragon, is garnering worldwide praise. The novel was named Runner-Up for Best Fiction at the Beach Book Festival and received Honorable Mentions from the Hollywood Book Festival, San Francisco Book Festival, and Paris Book Festival. With a professional foundation in corporate law, Marc brings rare authenticity to the complex, high-pressure arenas he portrays. In this riveting story, his protagonists confront a perilous network shaped by China’s expanding global influence, covert government maneuvering, and the hidden threats lurking within international commerce.

Please feel free to check out the link below!

Website

Meet Our Brand New Guest: James Runge!

Hey there, DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here excited to introduce you to fellow author, James Runge! James is a Marine veteran and debut author with a deep passion for high fantasy. Drawing on discipline, grit, and a vivid imagination, he crafts immersive worlds filled with danger and moral complexity. In his gripping debut, he tells the story of a tormented assassin who defies his own lethal order in a desperate quest to reclaim his stolen son—blending heart, intensity, and high-stakes adventure into a powerful, unforgettable tale.

Please feel free to check out the links below!

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Instagram: author_james_runge

Meet Our Brand New Guest: June LeBlanc!

Hey there, DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here excited to introduce you to fellow author, June LeBlanc! June is my first guest back after hiatus—and the first featured author of Season 8 of Detective Writer. A talented fantasy and romance author, June captivates readers with her novel The Lioness in Winter, a gripping story centered on a redemption-seeking antihero navigating a world filled with peril, passion, and high-stakes choices. Her storytelling pulls you deeper with every chapter, leaving you both breathless and amazed as the journey unfolds.

Please feel free to check out the links below!

Website

Amazon Author’s Page

Instagram: @juneleblancauthor

TikTok: @june.leblancauthor

See You Soon, DETECTIVES!

Hey there, DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here to tell you all that I will be taking a small break away. First and foremost, let me start off by saying that I am so thankful for the support of every single one of you, DETECTIVES! Thank you for every comment, like, share, new follow, listen, guest requests, and so much more!

Sometimes we all need to hit pause, and this is one of those times for me. I’ve been pushing myself hard, and I can feel it’s time to take care of myself so I can come back stronger. I’m pressing pause on the podcast for now, but I’ll be back with renewed energy. Thank you for walking this path with me. This is NOT goodbye, but it is a see you later, DETECTIVES!

Thank you all, DETECTIVES!

We will be back in 2026, and I can’t wait to return soon, DETECTIVES!

Meet Our Brand New Guest: SC Alban!

Hey there, DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here excited to introduce you to fellow author, SC Alban! SC is a storyteller who has crafted a compelling novel, Life Without Living, the first in a planned three-book series, that is sure to captivate readers. This thrilling tale follows a woman who uncovers the devastating truth behind her life’s greatest lie and a man burdened with the curse of immortality, their destinies bound together in a centuries-old love story.

Beyond her writing, SC emphasizes the importance of remembering that life is fleeting. She encourages others to set aside doubt and the opinions of others to pursue their dreams. For her, writing is not only a form of healing but also an endless source of adventure and entertainment.

Please feel free to check out the links below!
https://linktr.ee/scalban

https://books2read.com/u/mVPjpl

Instagram

Amazon

Chat With Our Returning Guest: Dr. Randy Overbeck!

Hey there, DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here excited to reintroduce you all to fellow author, Dr. Randy Overbeck! Randy is here to share updates on his writing journey, discuss his newest novel, Red Shadows at Saugatuck, and highlight the importance of safety while ensuring that the voices of victims are heard and justice is brought to light. Randy also hosts his own podcast, Great Stories About Great Storytellers, where he explores the journeys of fellow authors, sharing their experiences and the unique paths that led them to success.

Please feel free to check out the links below!
https://www.authorrandyoverbeck.com/

https://www.authorrandyoverbeck.com/podcast

https://www.authorrandyoverbeck.com/blog

https://books2read.com/u/bxD1nq

https://www.authorrandyoverbeck.com/podcast/episode/7c6ecb20/maya-angelou-author-poet-and-director-and-great-storyteller

http://nativehope/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-mmiw

http://www.bia.gov/servic/mmu/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-people-crisis