Today is another stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour!

Today's special guest is the author of the new historical mystery HOLMES AWAY FROM HOME, Samantha Larsen! She is a queen of historical romances, historical trivia, and two great historical mystery series. She also teaches World Literature in college and we bond over the amaingness of storytellers, Jane Austen, and strong women of history.

Plus, book recommendations, my love of Payton Tolle, and my new Abington Armadillos jersey!

Find Samantha: https://www.samanthahastings.com/

Great Escapes Tour Page (enter the giveaway!): https://www.escapewithdollycas.com/great-escapes-virtual-book-tours/current-great-escapes-tours/holmes-away-from-home-an-althea-adler-mystery-by-samantha-larsen/

Find me:

Buy all recommended books here! https://bookshop.org/shop/nicoleasselin

www.nicoleasselinwriter.com

https://www.threads.com/@nanazlyn

www.instagram.com/nanazlyn

https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleasselin38

Nicole's Starting Lineup on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705169159907300/

Support Me!

www.ko-fi.com/baseballbooksandbanter

Season 6 starts off with an amazing guest! Trish Blanchet has released her first adult mystery novel, and friends, it's really good. Filled with magic, humor, and of course a mystery, MURDER LIKE MAGIC is a great addition to the mystery genre! Plus, we talk about drafting, plotting, connecting with other writers, and the rich history of New England.

We also get to talk about her amazing non-profit Operation Delta Dog and the good work they do helping service members and shelter dogs alike.

And of course the state of the Red Sox as of the beginning of September. Playoffs? We're talking playoffs? Also, a cover reveal of book three in the Minor League Mystery series.

Find Trisha: https://www.trishablanchet.com/

Find Me:

Buy all recommended books here! https://bookshop.org/shop/nicoleasselin

www.nicoleasselinwriter.com

https://www.threads.com/@nanazlyn

www.instagram.com/nanazlyn

https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleasselin38

Nicole's Starting Lineup on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705169159907300/

Support Me!

www.ko-fi.com/baseballbooksandbanter

Join my guest, Ashley Hanna-Morgan, as we discuss her DEBUT thriller IN HER OWN BACKYARD. A licensed social worker by day, thriller writer by night (or afternoons anyway), Ashley takes her years of experience and writes a complex character who suspects something isn't right in her home and her town. With a group of mom friends, they help her work through her postpartum and possibly sketchiness. I can't wait to hear more from these characters.

Plus, we talk about the Padres, Sisters in Crime (and how much we love them), the importance of community, and so much more!

And I get to talk about the amazing 15-game win streak the Red Sox just completed. Are the Red Sox, good?

Find Ashley: https://ashleyhannamorgan.com/

Find me!

Buy all recommended books here! https://bookshop.org/shop/nicoleasselin

www.nicoleasselinwriter.com

https://www.threads.com/@nanazlyn

www.instagram.com/nanazlyn

https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleasselin38

Nicole's Starting Lineup on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705169159907300/

Support Me!

www.ko-fi.com/baseballbooksandbanter

Welcome to a half-episode with my first-ever book review spotlight! I even created my own rating scale.

1 (bad) - Striking out on three straight pitches

5 (good) - No-hitter with a walk-off home run

Ellen's latest in the Golden Motel Mysteries is a solid 4.5 (Complete game!). I love this series, and it makes me want to head to the mountains and find an old motel and cabins to have a vacay in. Except for the murder. This one follows Dee and her friends as a murder overshadows a celebration of the railway family who settled the towns. With witty banter, found family, and a TON of heart, this series is always a homerrun, and this one is no exception.

If you love your cozies with laugh-out-loud moments, you'll appreciate Ellen's writing style (in fact, you should check out her other series as well). The book is out July 28, 2026!

As part of the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, you can also enter to win a copy of the book at the link: Giveaway Link!

Find Ellen: https://www.ellenbyron.com/

Find me!

Buy all recommended books here! https://bookshop.org/shop/nicoleasselin

www.nicoleasselinwriter.com

https://www.threads.com/@nanazlyn

www.instagram.com/nanazlyn

https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleasselin38

Nicole's Starting Lineup on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705169159907300/

Support Me!

www.ko-fi.com/baseballbooksandbanter

Don't you just loving find a new favorite author? One of the reasons I started this podcast was to basically fan girl over my favorite books. When I did a signing at The Wandering Tale down in New Bedford, Jillian Eagan's book caught my eye immediately. Pirates? Check. Strong female friendships? Check. Damsels in distress? Sort of of, but also get themselves out of trouble? Check.

We talk a lot about the book, the journey of a new author, how fantasy can provide an escape but also mirror the real world, and we answer the serious questions. Are Pirates just the musical theatre kids of the sea?

Plus, how 'bout them Red Sox??

Find Jillian: https://jillianeaganauthor.com/

Find Me!

Buy all recommended books here! https://bookshop.org/shop/nicoleasselin

www.nicoleasselinwriter.com

https://www.threads.com/@nanazlyn

www.instagram.com/nanazlyn

https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleasselin38

Nicole's Starting Lineup on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705169159907300/

Support Me!

www.ko-fi.com/baseballbooksandbanter

My first podcast spotlight post!

And I couldn't imagine starting with a better author! Lucy Burdette is the author of the Key West Food Critic Mysteries, books 15 (THE MANGO MURDERS) and 16 (A DEADLY DECEPTION) out now! (Or at least 15 is out as of now, book 16 is out July 14.)

This spotlight is part of Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours: https://www.escapewithdollycas.com/great-escapes-virtual-book-tours/current-great-escapes-tours/the-mango-murders-a-delicious-deception-key-west-food-critic-mysteries-by-lucy-burdette/ Enter to win copies of the book at the link.

Find Lucy Burdette: https://lucyburdette.com/

Find Me!

Buy all recommended books here! https://bookshop.org/shop/nicoleasselin

www.nicoleasselinwriter.com

https://www.threads.com/@nanazlyn

www.instagram.com/nanazlyn

https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleasselin38

Nicole's Starting Lineup on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705169159907300/

Support Me!

www.ko-fi.com/baseballbooksandbanter

Lucky number 13! Welcome back to Adrian Andover! Award-winning author of debut cozy WHISKEY BUSINESS returns with next in the series POUR CHOICES (out June 30). We talk about breaking barriers, empathy, family support, and platonic love. It was a convo, ya'll! What didn't we talk about? Baseball. Every episode, we say we're going to talk about the Pirates, and every episode I yammer so much we don't get to it! Next time!

Also, things I'm obsessed with include the Red Sox, who have currently beaten the Yankees in the last three games (what is even happening), and the introduction of the Women's Professional Baseball League!

Find Adrian: https://www.adrianandover.com/

Find me:

Buy all recommended books here! https://bookshop.org/shop/nicoleasselin

www.nicoleasselinwriter.com

https://www.threads.com/@nanazlyn

www.instagram.com/nanazlyn

https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleasselin38

Nicole's Starting Lineup on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705169159907300/

Support Me!

www.ko-fi.com/baseballbooksandbanter

Are you ready to hear about a rip-roaring adventure on the high seas? Then tune into this discussion with the author Julie Gerstenblatt of the new novel THE STARGAZER OF NANTUCKET. Find out about researching ships when you're prone to sea sickness, strong women-led stories, and much more! Plus, book recommendations, the state of the Red Sox (hint, still not good!), and things I'm obsessed with this week! Special shout to local bookstores (Barrington Books and 3Gen Love) and to friend Marcy McCreary!

Find Julie: https://www.juliegerstenblatt.com/

Find me:

Buy all recommended books here! https://bookshop.org/shop/nicoleasselin

www.nicoleasselinwriter.com

https://www.threads.com/@nanazlyn

www.instagram.com/nanazlyn

https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleasselin38

Nicole's Starting Lineup on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705169159907300/

Support Me!

www.ko-fi.com/baseballbooksandbanter

Welcome to the A JEWEL OF A CRIME (Venus Bixby Mystery) stop on the Great Escapes Book Tour!

Valerie Taylor joins me to discuss her journey to cozy mysteries, the importance of good/realistic dialogue, love of the Red Sox, and the uniqueness of her characters! Also, hear my hot takes on the current Red Sox season, book recommendations, and my latest on the Minor League Mysteries!

Then, go follow her other stops on the Great Escapes Book Tour at Great Escapes Book Tour and Giveaways!

Find Valerie at https://valerietaylorauthor.com/

Find Me:

Buy all recommended books here! https://bookshop.org/shop/nicoleasselin

www.nicoleasselinwriter.com

https://www.threads.com/@nanazlyn

www.instagram.com/nanazlyn

https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleasselin38

Nicole's Starting Lineup on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705169159907300/

Support Me!

www.ko-fi.com/baseballbooksandbanter

Join me as I chat with the busiest author in Maine! Matt Cost is a reformed Junior High Teacher, mystery bookshop owner, and published author of over 15 books! We discuss writing/editing muliple series, the other side of writing, and the magic of community.

Plus, book recommendations, Red Sox thoughts, my hatred of analytics in baseball, and the variable life of a published author.

Find Matt: https://www.mattcost.net/

Find me:

Buy all recommended books here! https://bookshop.org/shop/nicoleasselin

www.nicoleasselinwriter.com

https://www.threads.com/@nanazlyn

www.instagram.com/nanazlyn

https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleasselin38

Nicole's Starting Lineup on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705169159907300/

Support Me!

www.ko-fi.com/baseballbooksandbanter