Episodes

  • Martha Waters mashes up mystery and romance tropes in Ep. 7 of My Bookcase Slays

    Martha Waters mashes up mystery and romance tropes in Ep. 7 of My Bookcase Slays
    Sep 24 2025
    Martha Waters is known for writing regency romcoms, but her latest title, And Then There Was The One, mashes up cozy mystery and romance tropes in a witty and rollicking nod to both genres. Plus there are sheep, London playboys, puns, and a huge disappointment…at least for this reader! We discuss how she pulls off her homage to Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers…while dialing up the heat past “cozy” in this episode of My Bookcase Slays. Learn more about GUEST Martha Waters: https://www.marthawaters.com/ Learn more about HOST Melissa Westemeier: https://www.melwestemeier.com/
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    23 mins
  • Joanna Campbell Slan ~ Die, Die, Birdie ~ Cozy Alchemy Ep. 8

    Joanna Campbell Slan ~ Die, Die, Birdie ~ Cozy Alchemy Ep. 8
    Sep 24 2025
    Today on the podcast, meet Joanna Campbell Slan, author of many mysteries including the Kiki Lowenstein series! Elle and Joanna talk about using cozy to write about social issues, tips for writing a long-running series, the magic of turtles, and more. Happy listening! Joanna’s Bio: Joanna is a New York Times and a USA Today bestselling author who has written more than 70 books, both fiction and non-fiction. Currently, she writes four ongoing mystery series: the Kiki Lowenstein cozy mysteries (Agatha Award finalist/first novel/contemporary); the Jane Eyre Chronicles (Daphne du Maurier Award for Literary Excellence winner/historical); the Cara Mia Delgatto mysteries (contemporary); and the Friday Night Mystery Club mysteries (set in 1980s). She’s also the editor and co-author of the Sherlock Holmes Fantasy books. Find Joanna’s Website and Books Here: https://joannacampbellslan.com/ ~~~ Elle Hartford’s Bio: Elle Hartford writes cozy mystery with a fairy tale twist. The award-winning first book in her Alchemical Tales series, Beauty and the Alchemist, finds amateur sleuth Red mixed up with murderous beasts and moody beauties, and a set of missing books besides! Elle has also written two spin-off series, the cozy fantasy-goes-to-the-beach Marine Magic series as well as Pomegranate Cafe Romance. For other writers and authors looking into “wide” indie publishing, Elle offers coaching as well as the Beyond Writing blog (ellehartford.substack.com) with how-tos and resources. Find Elle Online: https://ellehartford.com/
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    39 mins
  • Ellie Fowler - Quest of Prophecy and Origins

    Ellie Fowler - Quest of Prophecy and Origins
    Sep 24 2025
    Ellie Fowler was the talent director for Lucinda Literary Agency, and is now an agent! Her fiction features epic healing stories. Book 2 in the Final Incarnation series - Quest of Prophecy and Origins - came out earlier this year and the next book, War of Wings and Talons - is out March 17, 2026. Ellie joins us to chat about: *the marriage exchange *how YouTuber Artifexian {https://youtube.com/@artifexian?si=HWWB1wiN3QnItDdW} influenced her world building *how a DND dungeon master helped her build the magic system *being a 911 dispatcher *the unique planetary system in her series *reader trust *differences between writing fiction and nonfiction *which characters are getting their own series *things we can expect in book 3 and more! For more information about Ellie and her books, or to sign up for the bonus chapters and the Sunday Side Quests, visit her website https://elliefowlerbooks.com/ and follow her on Instagram @authorelliefowler
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    46 mins
  • From Stage to Page: James Magruder on “No One Is Looking at You” - Ep 18

    From Stage to Page: James Magruder on “No One Is Looking at You” - Ep 18
    Sep 24 2025
    Author and playwright James Magruder sits down with Ian Henzel to talk about his new short story collection "No One Is Looking at You". We dig into theater’s collaboration vs. fiction’s heavier lift, how alpha readers sharpen the work, and why ageism in publishing—especially for older LGBTQ voices—still needs naming. James gets personal about the moments that carved his voice (HIV survival, grief, joy), the journals that keep him honest, and the books that feel like home. In this episode • Stage craft → story craft: what changes (and what doesn’t) • “Head always in a book”: military-brat roots & early influences • Rejection, resilience, and building with feedback (alpha readers) • Ageism in LGBTQ literature and widening the lens • Journals, voice, and the surprise of how readers respond • Favorite “worlds to live in” and why they stick Read a sample from "No One is Looking at You" → [https://www.book2look.com/book/yKG9CfMgjL Get the book → https://rattlinggoodyarns.com/product/no-one-is-looking-at-you/ #James Magruder #No One Is Looking at You #theater #fiction #ageism #literature #writing #influences #LGBTQ literature #storytelling
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    32 mins
  • National Book Award Finalist Dan Chaon talks his new book, One Of Us, on Writing While Handicapped

    National Book Award Finalist Dan Chaon talks his new book, One Of Us, on Writing While Handicapped
    Sep 24 2025
    Dan Chaon, national book award finalist, talks his new book, One Of Us, a circus/western set in the 1900s, on this episode of Writing While Handicapped! Visit Dan online at www.danchaon.net and find all of his socials!
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    29 mins
  • Kathleen Donnelly on COLORADO K-9 RESCUE, Trauma Recovery & K-9 Heroes

    Kathleen Donnelly on COLORADO K-9 RESCUE, Trauma Recovery & K-9 Heroes
    Sep 24 2025
    In Episode 53 of Undercurrents of Romance, Tracey Devlyn sits down with award-winning author Kathleen Donnelly to discuss her new romantic suspense, COLORADO K-9 RESCUE. A kidnapper on the loose. A trauma survivor on a mission. A K-9 who always finds what matters most. Mckenna Parker thought she’d outrun her past. But when her abductor is released from prison and girls begin vanishing, the FBI specialist must join forces with a career-driven agent—and her loyal K-9, Mocha—to stop a predator. High-stakes danger meets tender romance in this emotionally rich, wilderness-set suspense. Love this episode? Rate it ⭐️ Thumbs Up 👍 Subscribe 🔔 Show Notes: https://traceydevlyn.com/podcast #newrelease #bookrelease #romancebooks #romance #harlequinromanticsuspense #RomanticSuspense #romanticsuspensebooks #romancebooksofinstagram #kathleendonnelly #workplaceromance #forcedproximity #HEA #happilyeverafter #traceydevlyn #undercurrentsofromance #podcaster #podcastepisode #podcastguest #bookpodcast #authorpodcast #authorsontheair #vidcast #authorinterview #authorssupportingauthors #videobookclub #books #bookrecommendations #bookaddiction
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    24 mins
  • Carmen Amato (BARRACUDA BAY) EP 79

    Carmen Amato (BARRACUDA BAY) EP 79
    Sep 23 2025
    Award-winning author, Carmen Amato, discusses her incredible latest release, BARRACUDA BAY. When the Mayor of Acapulco’s sister is found murdered, Detective Emilia Cruz is plunged into a high stakes investigation with deadly consequences. As the mayoral election looms, Emilia will go farther than she ever has before to bring the killer to justice. “A thrilling series.”–National Public Radio Listen in as we chat about how important loyalty was when Carmen worked in the CIA, a very special embroidery project, and why it feels like she sent me on a mini vacation! https://www.mariesutro.com/twisted-passages-podcast https://carmenamato.net ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Carmen Amato is the author of the Detective Emilia Cruz mystery series and the Galliano Club historical fiction thrillers. Her standalone thrillers include The Hidden Light of Mexico City, which was longlisted for the 2020 Millennium Book Award. A 30-year veteran of the CIA, Carmen is a recipient of both the National Intelligence Award and the Career Intelligence Medal. A judge for the BookLife Prize and Killer Nashville’s Claymore Award, her essays have appeared in Criminal Element, Publishers Weekly, and other national publications. She writes the popular Mystery Ahead newsletter on Substack. Originally from upstate New York, Carmen's experiences in Mexico and Central America ignited her writing career. After years of globetrotting, she currently resides in Tennessee with a German Shepherd named Bear and her husband, who is also a retired intelligence officer. They have two grown children.
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    22 mins
  • Elle Hartford, How To Treat Talking Beasts, Ep. 11

    Elle Hartford, How To Treat Talking Beasts, Ep. 11
    Sep 23 2025
    Talking Beasts & Cozy Fantasy: Elle Hartford’s Enchanted World What happens when you mix a talking otter, magical beasts, porpoises who need saving and a dash of mystery? You get Elle Hartford’s enchanting How to Treat Talking Beasts. In this episode, Elle joins me to dive into the world of Sunlit Haven—a marine biologist and animal rescuer whose sanctuary becomes the center of magical (and sometimes mischievous) attention. Sunlit’s journey is one of courage, friendship, and learning to find her voice. Elle shares the inspiration behind her delightful mix of animal care and cozy mystery, the challenges of writing whimsical worlds that feel real, and why readers are falling in love with the Marine Sanctuary family. Plus, we had a special guest appearance with Elle’s turtle, William! If you adore books with heart, humor, and plenty of magic, you won’t want to miss this conversation. To learn more about Elle, visit: ellehartford.com For more about my K-9 books, visit: kathleendonnelly.com Sit. Stay. Read. is a proud part of the Authors on the Air Global Network.
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    27 mins