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What makes a happy marriage?

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There are plenty of books and articles written about unhappy marriages, but few about happy ones. As a physician married to a physician for 55 years, my husband Joel and I were curious about how other dual-physician marriages fare. As it turns out several studies suggest the relative stability of such partnerships. According to a recent survey, overall divorce rates among dual- physician marriages are only 24% compared to a 42% divorce rate for all first marriages.

In our new book Lessons Learned: Stories from Dual Physician Marriages, 35 self-selected happily married couples share their stories and lessons they’ve learned.

The stories are so inspiring that we’ve concluded that for med students and resident today, marrying a physician colleague could be the best decision they make.

Check out our OpEd on Doximity:https://www.doximity.com/articles/39e2ee55-45f9-4e76-b654-76a86339d322?_eda_link_uuid=3d81f9ce-3428-47ea-9b1f-349cc8edd0ee&utm_campaign=notifications::v2::digest&utm_content=e4f91c49-c240-433d-8214-c144c50092f9&utm_medium=email&utm_source=doximity-eda

Happy Chinese New Year: Year of the Horse

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Happy Chinese New Year! 🧧

If you were born in 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014—or are welcoming a newborn in 2026—you share a special distinction: you were born in the Year of the Horse.

In the Chinese zodiac, the Horse appears every 12 years and is traditionally associated with qualities like energy, independence, determination, and a strong work ethic. Those born under this sign are often described as spirited and driven, never afraid to chase new horizons. The year 2026 is especially notable because it is a Fire Horse year—a combination believed to amplify passion, intensity, and leadership.

The Lunar New Year begins on February 17, 2026, and the celebration traditionally lasts 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival on March 3. It’s a season of family reunions, symbolic foods, red envelopes, lantern displays, and centuries-old customs meant to usher in luck, prosperity, and renewal.

History, Tradition, and a Story of “What If?”

If you’re intrigued by Chinese culture and history—but enjoy exploring it through the lens of fiction—you might be interested in our award-winning historical thriller, Rabbit in the Moon, written by my husband Joel and me.

We began the novel with a provocative question:
Is humanity ready for a scientific breakthrough that could double the average lifespan?

In Rabbit in the Moon, Dr. Cheng becomes obsessed with uncovering a secret that could transform the future of humankind. But his pursuit places not only his own life at risk—it endangers his granddaughter and potentially the fate of the world.

The story unfolds during a pivotal seven-week period in 1989, between the rise of the Student Democracy Movement and its tragic suppression in June at Tiananmen Square.

We chose this moment in history for two deeply personal reasons.

First, it was unforgettable. Anyone watching the news at the time can still picture the haunting image of a lone young man standing before a line of tanks—an act of quiet defiance that became one of the most iconic images of the twentieth century.

Second, the events touched us directly. After our first trip to China in 1980, we returned to Los Angeles and became a host family for students from mainland China studying at UCLA. In the weeks leading up to Tiananmen in 1989, many of these students used our fax machine to communicate with friends and family back home. There were no smartphones, no internet, and very few private phone lines in China at the time. Fax was their lifeline.

Through countless conversations, we came to understand how they viewed the conflict: as a generational struggle. On one side stood aging leaders—many of whom had marched with Mao—determined to hold onto power. On the other stood a younger generation yearning for reform and a different future.

History tells us how tragically that struggle ended. On June 4, hundreds—perhaps thousands—lost their lives.

More than three decades later, the events surrounding Tiananmen Square remain a sensitive and tightly controlled subject within China. In recent years, restrictions on dissent have expanded, affecting activists, labor groups, religious organizations, and civil society in both mainland China and Hong Kong.

Remembering and Reflecting

Stories, both historical and fictional, remind us of the human spirit’s capacity for ambition, sacrifice, and change.

So, enjoy the New Year, but take time to learn about recent Chinese history.

We hope that readers will find this new edition of Rabbit in the Moon a compelling and still timely read.

In this edition, we took past readers’ advice, so you will find a list of the characters and a glossary of some of the Chinese and Korean terms to avoid confusion. 

Wishing you a joyful, prosperous, and meaningful Lunar New Year.

Dirty Deeds is a Finalist!

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The fourth mystery/thriller in the Sammy Greene series is a Finalist in the 2025 Royal Palm Literary Award from the Florida Writers Association. In this novel, talk show host, Sammy is back on the radio in New York City. Nursing student Ana Pappajohn, daughter of her investigative partner and ex-cop, Gus suspects that a Tibetan baby seen in a Queens public hospital has arsenic poisoning and his mother is arrested for attempted murder. Determined to prove her innocence, Ana launches her own investigation and turns to her father and friend Sammy for help. Together, the trio unravel a tangled web of corruption and criminal activity linked to two seemingly unrelated murders, putting their lives at risk to safeguard the residents of Jackson Heights.

Now available in print, eBook and Audio:https://shorturl.at/fDkAO

Group of diverse healthcare professionals smiling together.

May is Nurse Appreciation Month

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May is the month set aside to appreciate nurses. Anyone who has had the misfortune of being hospitalized, can attest to the difference a well-trained, caring nurse can make in helping your recovery.

Because I value these wonderful people, I have chosen nurses as main characters in two of my latest medical mystery thrillers. In Silent Survivor by Deborah Shlian, nurse Mackenzie (Mac) Dodd, an Iraq vet, comes home to work in a Florida VA hospital where she begins an investigation, risking her life to expose secrets and betrayals as she uncovers the unintended consequences of covert government research.

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In Dirty Deeds by Deborah Shlian and Linda Reid, when Nurse Practitioner student Anna Pappajohn, suspects that a young Tibetan baby she’s seen in a Queens public hospital suffers from arsenic poisoning, she ends up trying to prove that the boy’s mother is innocent, launching her own investigation, ultimately unraveling a tangled web of corruption and criminal activity linked to two seemingly unrelated murders, putting her life on the line to safeguard the residents of Jackson Heights.

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Both these books have won literary awards as readers have cheered these intrepid nurse protagonists.

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Researching fiction

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I’m not sure that readers of novels appreciate how much research often goes into creating a story that, while fiction, includes elements that are accurate. For example, when Linda Reid and I wrote Deep Waters, the third in our Sammy Greene thriller series, we imagined a shipwreck dated from415 CE. Salvaged in Greek waters in 2003, among the artifacts discovered was an ancient device that is critical in our story to locate the true statue of Athena.

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The device we “created” was similar to  the Antikythera Mechanism  which is currently on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. Scientists believe that the tool was one of, if not the first computer, built by Ancient Greeks during the Roman Empire.  The latest theory is that the “computer” calculated the lunar calendar, critical for safe and effective navigation. 

It’s always fun to find validation for your “creations”. Just recently Darren Orf took a look at our current understanding of this ancient mechanism in his article in Popular Mechanics. You can read the updates here

If you have not read our award winning Deep Waters, join Sammy and Gus Pappajohnin sunny Greece for a virtual vacation and exciting thriller.

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And of course, we hope you’re enjoying Dirty Deeds, Sammy Greene’s latest adventure set in New York City.

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Book cover featuring women physician leaders.

Celebrate Women’s History Month

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March is Women’s History Month. Perfect timing to learn about some amazing women leaders in medicine and STEM.

Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Physician Leaders.In it,33 amazingwomendoctorswho have achieved so muchtell their personal storiesincludingthe obstacles and challenges faced in their careers.

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In Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Leaders in STEM, 31 women who have defied the odds share their career journeys to become leaders in organizations like the National Science Foundation, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the National Academy of Science, Presidents of universities and more. The personal stories of these role models and mentors are so inspiring.

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Book cover of "Dirty Deeds" thriller novel.

Radio talk-show host Sammy Greene is back in Book #4: DIRTY DEEDS! Great reviews!!

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The official release is February 14th for the Print version, but you can pre-order the Kindle version from Amazon now. After the 14th, the eBook version will be available from these sources:

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Here are some of the pre-release reviews:

KIRKUS REVIEW:

New York’s premier crime-solving radio host teams up with an ER nurse to solve a case in Shlian and Reid’s mystery, one in a series.

Outspoken radio host Sammy Greene is back in New York and back on the air, this time for the progressive Radio USA network in Astoria, Queens. There she runs into Ana Pappajohn, the daughter of her friend and former sleuthing partner Gus. Once a drug addict and sex worker, Ana is now a nurse practitioner–in-training at a hospital in nearby Jackson Heights. When a Tibetan immigrant mother brings her 6-month-old baby Jampa in with a mysterious illness, Ana discovers the infant has arsenic levels 20 times the typical amount. 

Of course, Jampa’s mother, Tenzin Dolma, is immediately suspected, but Ana–a mother herself–has her doubts. “There are other ways the children could be poisoned,” she insists to Gus, an ex-cop. “If Dolma wasn’t an immigrant, maybe she’d only be a person of interest at this stage, not in jail with no bail.” Ana enlists Gus and Sammy–who have some experience solving tough cases–in her investigation to prove Tenzin’s innocence. Along the way, they discover connections to another dead child, as well as the murder of a prominent Queens real estate developer. When they cross some powerful people, Ana and Sammy learn just how dirty New York City can get. 

Shlian and Reid excel at capturing the wry cynicism of the New Yorkers who inhabit the intersecting worlds of medicine, real estate, and the law. “You never know whose pants are getting dropped in a corruption scandal,” the police chief quips. Ana, with her checkered past and her son with cerebral palsy, makes for a strong and sympathetic protagonist.

There are some idiosyncratic flourishes–the authors’ reflexive need to explain every reference, a nearly distracting enthusiasm for Greek food–but overall this is a fun, fast read with plenty of Queens-specific color. Fans of the previous books in the series will be more than satisfied.

A gleefully gritty crime novel set in the world of a New York hospital.

5 STARS:

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers’ Favorite

Dirty Deeds by Deborah Shlian and Linda Reid is a continuation of a series involving investigative radio journalist Sammy Greene. Sammy is currently hosting a talk radio show in New York City for Radio USA. In the period leading up to the 2008 elections, the focus was on the primary candidates from both parties but when Sammy’s best friend, nursing student Ana Pappajohn, revealed some disturbing information about possible arsenic contamination in New York’s water supply, Sammy became caught up in investigation corruption and malfeasance amongst New York’s elite politicians. A seemingly unrelated murder of a New York building contractor, the arrival of Ana’s father, a former Boston detective, Gus Pappajohn, and a series of babies at Ana’s hospital all suffering from arsenic poisoning creates a multi-layered mystery for Sammy, Ana, and Gus to unravel, all while facing danger from powerful men determined to hide the truth. 

Dirty Deeds is my first introduction to authors Deborah Shlian and Linda Reid, as well as their principal characters Sammy Greene, and Ana and Gus Pappajohn. I am impressed by the depth of their plotting, the twists and turns of the mystery as it unrolls under their investigation, as well as the likability, relatability, and variety of characters introduced. I particularly appreciated that it was often poor, immigrant families that were being exploited by the elite’s corruption and I loved the authors’ focus on Tibetan culture in particular. The empathy the authors evoke in readers is to be admired, especially for the plight of Tibetans forced from their homeland, seeking relief in the promises of the USA, only to be sadly let down and disappointed by those who were elected into power to protect them. I was impressed by the level of knowledge regarding hospitals, police, governmental offices, and de-encryption procedures. This novel has been deeply researched and intelligently written. By incorporating current events of the time, the story has the ring of authenticity and believability, which is always crucial. This may have been the first work I’ve read in this series but I suspect it will not be the last time I encounter these two authors and these characters. I highly recommend this read.

Bella Wright
Editor
BestThrillers.com 

The Bottom Line: A cleverly-constructed murder mystery with a one-of-a-kind heroine at its core. 

The fourth book in the Sammy Greene series opens in New York City, as smug real estate tycoon Vince Garibaldi is lured into a midnight hour meeting. After handing over a thumb drive and denying accusations of being a snitch, he’s summarily bludgeoned to death, belted into his Porsche, and sunk into the East River. It’s the first of two significant – and seemingly unrelated – murders in the novel.

But as you might suspect, things are not quite what they seem in Dirty Deeds. 

Elsewhere in the Big Apple, doctors can see that six-month-old Jampa Dorjee is clearly far too small for his age. After the child’s mother, Tibetan immigrant Tenzin Dolma, brings the baby to the ER, tests find that the child’s blood arsenic levels are 20 times higher than normal. As the baby clings to life in the hospital, Child Protective Services and NYPD arrive at the family’s apartment and arrest Dolma for attempted murder. 

Nursing student Ana Pappajohn, whose father Gus is a retired cop, believes Dolma has been unjustly accused. As part of her efforts to free Dolma from jail, Ana makes an introduction to series heroine Sammy Greene. Set in 2007 during the waning years of peak terrestrial radio, Sammy hosts a talk show on the liberal Radio USA network, serving as a platform for social advocacy. But it seems that Sammy has a history of pushing things a bit too far. Will the show’s new direction be a fit with her program director, to say nothing of city officials?

Authors Deborah Shlian and Linda Reid have created a sophisticated narrative in which tragic worlds collide. Shlian and Reid hold back just enough information in the early going to sustain mysteries in both stories, resulting in a series of huge payoffs once Anna and others finally stitch them together. While Dolma’s plight is far more evocative and stirring than its counterpart, the way in which the connective tissue between the two is constructed is worth the price of admission. 

Dirty Deeds is also a fascinating lens through which the social and political dynamics of 2007 are revisited. As you might guess, the plight of Tibetan immigrants are explored in a way that’s downright moving. In addition, get ready to relive the 2007-era political landscape, including Hillary Clinton, Rudy Giuliani and Barack Obama. Even Donald Trump, who declares “They couldn’t pay me enough to be a politician,” makes an appearance. While we learn a lot about Sammy through well-placed snippets of backstory, readers are advised to begin with Book 1, Dead Air, to experience this unique heroine’s origin story.

EARLY GOODREADS REVIEWS:

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Colorful dragon puppets during a festival performance.

January 29, 2025

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Happy Chinese New Year!!

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This year we celebrate the Year of the Snake. Those born in 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, and 2025 are  said to be precise, cool-headed, creative, and have logical thinking. 

If you have an interest in Chinese history, check outRabbit in the Moon.The backdrop of this international thriller that won the Gold Medal for the Florida Book Award takes place duringprobably the most tumultuous seven weeks in a year of the snake: from the rise of the student Democracy movement in April 1989 until its fall with the Tiananmen massacre on June 4th.

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Book cover featuring women physician leaders.

March is Women’s History Month

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As many of you know, I have spent the past few years working on projects highlighting women leaders in science – in 2022Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Physician Leaderswas published.
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The book profiles 33 amazing women doctors including Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha who blew the whistle on the Flint, Michigan water scandal, Dr. Laura Esserman who is a breast cancer surgeon championing a more personalized approach to the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer and Dr. Kathleen Neuzil who leads the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine where among other accomplishments she helped to develop the Covid vaccine.

In 2023 I completed a second book titledLessons Learned: Stories from Women Leaders in STEM. In it, 31 PhDs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics share their personal stories –the obstacles faced and their successes – how they beat the odds to become leaders in their disciplines and the lessons they learned along the way.
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In writingthis book I was frankly a little surprised that so many women said their careers had been improbable.Several took a few detours before finding their passion and more than a few encountered stereotypes that discourage young girls from developing interests and skills in math and science- even in 2024. While each of the women profiled are unique, they all shared several qualities they felt were critical to their successincluding resilience, patience andperseverance. They all understand that scientific research is a marathon, not a sprint and that failure is a critical component of the learning process. All said that mentors and role models as well as a supportive life partner were critical to their success in both their professional and personal lives.

That said, let me highlight just a few of the amazing women:

Cecilia Aragon. At 5 foot 2, Cecilia is not only a celebrated computer scientist but also achampionaerobatic pilot. You’ll have to read how she overcame her fear of elevators!

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Rita Colwell:Holding degrees in bacteriology snd genetics, Rita studies infectious disease and is known world wide for her cholera research. First female Director of the National Science Foundation, current President of the RosalindFranklin Society, professor in theInstitute of Advanced Computer Sciences at the University ofMaryland, Rita’s personal story is filled with wonderful advice for anyoneinterested in science. Like Cecilia, Rita had a hobby- hers was boat racing.

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Gilda Barabino is President of Olin College of Engineering as well as President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (the world’slargest interdisciplinary scientific society). In these leadership roles, Gilda is recognized as a thought leader and highly sought after speaker both nationally and internationally. This year she was invited to the White House for the signing of the CHIPS ACT which will make the US independent of foreign chip makers.

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Marcia McNutt: Geophysicist. President of the National Aacdemy of Science is just one of her many leadership roles. As director of the US Geological Survey she responded to a number od disastersincluding the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Besides her impressivescientific skills, Marcia is a barrel racer!

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The women in this book are intentionally a diverse group – not only in terms of their particular areas of STEM, but also in their ethnicity, where they are in their career journeys, where they live and work.



I love this quote from American civil rights activist, Marion Wright Edelman: “you can’t be what you can’t see”. Every one of these women are visible role models and mentors. I know they will serve as inspirations to everyone including today’s youngsters who may still be hearing the myth that “girls aren’t good in math or science”.

Over 12 reviewers have raved about the book including Sheryl Sandberg of LeanIn fame, Carolyn Bertozzi, PhD who won the Nobel prize in chemistry, and Bonnie Garmus, author of the bestselling novel Lessons in Chemistry.

This year Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Leaders in STEM won the President Award from the Florida Authors and Publisher Association.



SO TO HONOR THE WOMEN IN STEMM (medicine, science, technology, engineering and math), buy a copy of both books. They make great gifts for your children and grandchildren.  All royalties are going to programs supporting young girls (and boys) interested in careers in these fields. The hope is that the stories in both books will inspire young people to not only become STEMM scientists but leaders as well.

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A book titled 'Notorious Minds' with a dark, mysterious cover design.

Support Veterans with ALS

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My novel Silent Survivor is a work of fiction but the issue of the link between the neurodegenerative disease known as ALS and military service which is one of the plot points is based on reality. The search for a cure remains elusive with only a few medications that slow the disease progression. 

In terms of cause, a small number of patients show a hereditary link, but the majority don’t.

What is known is that people who served in the military are as much as twice as likely as the general population to die of ALS. Moreover, this increased risk occurs regardless of military branch and whether a veteran served during war or peacetime. The association holds true for other countries including Canada.

One of the possible culprits may be a drug developed by the Army to prevent malaria. There is evidence that this indeed might be a factor. In Silent Survivor I explored this possibility using a fictional drug created by a rogue PsyOps group. 

Although for many years the government refused to accept any of the evidence that their drug might be a culprit, in 2008 there was finally official recognition that ALS is a service-connected illness. As a result, the US Department of Veteran Affairs now cover 100% of treatment for veterans with ALS who served 90 days or more.

15 years later, there is still widespread lack of awareness about the relationship between serving in the military and ALS. And even with care covered there is a need for expanding access to VA home and community services. To that end, this past July the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act was passed.

The biggest need is caregivers as most people with ALS ultimately become ventilator-dependent. According to the ALS Association, caregivers whether family members or professionals spend more than 30 hours a week providing care and at least half feel unprepared as the disease progresses. 

In my state of Florida there are no community nursing homes at all for ventilator- dependent veterans which is a huge problem.

Bottom line: ALS is among the only specific diseases that occurs at a higher rate in all veterans, regardless of their era of service. So, today while we thank all veterans for their service, for those with ALS appreciate the need for improvement in nursing home care and urge Congress to support the heroes by funding more research to determine the exact cause with the goal of better treatment and prevention .

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