Episode 96 is mystery and thriller author Mia P. Manansala.

Mia P. Manansala (she/her) is a writer from Chicago who loves books, baking, and bad-ass women. Her debut, ARSENIC AND ADOBO, garnered starred reviews from Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Shelf Awareness, hit the ABA Indie Bestseller List, and has won multiple awards. A lover of all things geeky, Mia spends her days procrasti-baking, playing RPGs and otome games, reading cozy mysteries and diverse romance, and gazing lovingly at her dog Gumiho.

In this episode we discussed Death in the Cards, her first young adult book and her move into writing for teens. With that, we talked about the difference in how she writes her teen versus her adult protagonist. We also touched on her use of tarot in the novel, and how one class and one teacher guided her to writing mystery.

Links discussed:

Their Just Desserts by Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow

Dead & Breakfast by Kat Hillis and Rosiee Thor

Princess and the PI by Nikki Payne

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Upcoming: THE FOREVER WEDDING DATE

Note: some links are affiliate links

Contact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.com
Please check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 95's guest is author Jenni L. Walsh.

Jenni L. Walsh is a USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books. Her passion lies in transporting readers to another world, be it in historical or contemporary settings. She is a proud member of the Tall Poppy writers, a graduate of Villanova University, and lives in the Philadelphia suburbs with her husband, daughter, son, and various pets.

For adults, Jenni has written historical novels Becoming Bonnie, Side by Side, A Betting Woman, The Call of the Wrens, Unsinkable, and Ace, Marvel, Spy. She also writes books for children, including the nonfiction She Dared series and novels Hettie and the London Blitz, I Am Defiance, By the Light of Fireflies, Over and Out, Operation: Happy, and The Bug Bandits. To learn more about Jenni and her books, please visit jennilwalsh.com or @jennilwalsh on social media.

It this episode we discussed her historical fiction novel, Ace, Marvel, Spy and the reason why she wanted to write about Alice Marble. We talked about her research for this novel, what she loved most about her protagonist. Finally she shared her journey to writing in different age categories.

I want to thank all of who have subscribed to this podcast! If you haven’t, I’d love it if you’d click to follow so you can get notifications of every new episode. And, if have found this podcast helpful and fun, please leave a rating and review—it really helps to boost discoverability. You can even share this episode with a friend.

Links discussed:

A Girl and Her Five Brave Horses

Joy Callaway

***
Upcoming: THE FOREVER WEDDING DATE

Note: some links are affiliate links

Contact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.com
Please check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 94's guest is author Stefany Valentine.

Stefany Valentine is an emerging young adult author. Her first publication is featured in the adoptee anthology, When We Became Ours, and her sophomore title, Love Makes Mochi, is expected to release with Joy Revolution in 2026. Follow her for updates on TikTok, Instagram, and X @BooksByStefany and on her website, stefanyvalentine.wordpress.com.

In this episode we discussed her debut novel First Love Language, the significance of its title and its connection to The Five Love Languages. We talked about the nuance of language and how it relates to identity. And finally, how life imitated art and vice versa.

This was such a lovely episode, where Stefany was vulnerable in sharing her adoptee experience, and which I feel shines in her novel. I know you’re going to enjoy it.

I want to thank all of who have subscribed to this podcast! If you haven’t, I’d love it if you’d click to follow so you can get notifications of every new episode. And, if have found this podcast helpful and fun, please leave a rating and review—it really helps to boost discoverability. You can even share this episode with a friend.

For more information about me, Tif, and submitting to the podcast, please head on to my website, at TifMarcelo.com

Other links discussed:

There Goes the Neighborhood - Jade Aria

The Broposal by Sonora Reyes

Marsha Mickelson - Where I Belong

***
Upcoming: THE FOREVER WEDDING DATE

Note: some links are affiliate links

Contact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.com
Please check out her website for podcast submissions