Books and Brews Podcast

Meet award-winning author Janet Raye Stevens – mom, reader, tea-drinker (okay, tea guzzler), and weaver of smart, stealthily romantic tales. A Derringer Award finalist, Janet's work has been recognized multiple times, including winning the Daphne du Maurier award for the WWII-set paranormal A Moment After Dark and RWA's Golden Heart® award for the fun and flirty holiday romance Cole for Christmas. Janet writes mystery, time travel, paranormal, and the occasional Christmas romance with humor, heart, and a dash of suspense. She lives in New England with her husband, who's practically perfect in every way, and their various family members, all geniuses and good-looking to boot. janetrayestevens.com

Readings:

• To the Rooming House from Beryl Blue, Time Cop – 14:04
• At the Nightclub with the Soldiers from Beryl Blue, Time Cop – 27:18
• A Moment After Dark – 44:18

Michael's Beer Pairings:

• Northern Standard, Fulton Beer (paired to To the Rooming House) – 11:41
• Coors Banquet, Coors Brewing Company (paired to At the Nightclub with the Soldiers) – 24:40
• Saporro Premium Beer, Sapporo (paired to A Moment After Dark) – 41:30

Interview Highlights:

• A childhood immersed in WWII – 18:52
• What was good about the 1940s? – 19:39
• The Day My Teacher Wore a Miniskirt to School – 32:18
• Why do some wars get more fictional attention than others? – 38:22
• Why a mortician with paranormal gifts? – 49:43
• Getting into the minds of others – 53:35

COMING NEXT MONTH: Nancie Laird Young, Author of Tea with Dad: Finding Myself in My Father's Life

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Gabriel's Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology
• Release of Saint in the Cellar by Laura Vosika and Chris R. Powell, available in print, ebook, and hard cover.

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

Janelle Molony, M.S.L. is a family historian, an award-winning non-fiction author, and news journalist. Jodi Nasch Decker, Ed.D. is a college professor and freelance writer. Together, they provide interpretation and context for the poet Martha Nasch's alleged seven year fast and 1920's insane asylum stay. SevenYearsInsane

Readings:

• News Reports on Martha Nasch's Seven Year Fast – 13:59
• Force Feeding in the Asylum – 24:56
• The Asylum, a poem by Martha Nasch – 40:09

Michael's Beer Pairings:

• Celebrator Doppelbock, Privatbrauerei Ayinger (paired to News Reports) – 11:02
• CPB, Lupulin Brewing Company (paird to Force Feeding in the Asylum) – 23:32
• The Abyss, Deschutes Brewing Company (paired to The Asylum) – 39:23

Interview Highlights:

• How Jodi and Janelle came to write about poems from an asylum – 15:37
• How Martha ended up in the Asylum – 18:23
• Going viral, 1934-style – 21:33
• Martha not eating – 28:23
• The husband who committed her: villain or victim? – 33:10
• Life after an asylum – 41:47
• Happy times in an asylum – 48:20
• Crossing war-torn country in a wheelchair with Wyatt Earp's father – 53:20

COMING NEXT MONTH: Janet Raye Stevens, time travel

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Gabriel's Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology
• Release of Saint in the Cellar by Laura Vosika and Chris R. Powell, available in print, ebook, and hard cover.

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

Linda C. Wisniewski is a former librarian who shares an empty nest with her retired scientist husband in Doylestown, PA. Linda teaches memoir workshops and produces webinars for the Pearl S. Buck Writing Center. She was born in Amsterdam, New York and is a graduate of SUNY at Buffalo and the library school at Villanova University. Her work includes fiction, memoir and personal essays and has been published in numerous literary magazines and anthologies both print and online. Her credits include publications as diverse as the Philadelphia Inquirer, Massage, The Quilter, the Christian Science Monitor, gravel and Foliate Oak. Linda worked as a reporter and columnist for the Bucks County Women's Journal and the Bucks County Herald. She has won fiction and essay contests from the Wild River Review, the Pearl S. Buck Writing Center, Mom Writers Literary Magazine, and the Story Circle Network and her work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Linda's memoir, Off Kilter: A Woman's Journey to Peace with Scoliosis, Her Mother and Her Polish Heritage was published in 2008 by Pearlsong Press. Her novel, Where the Stork Flies, was published in 2021 by Sand Hill Review Press. www.lindawis.com.

Linda's Readings:

• Meeting Regina – 16:11
• Seeking a Way Back Through Time – 29:27
• Kat in Regina's Time – 42:59

Michael's Beer Pairings:

• My. Grodz., Fair State Brewing Cooperative (paired to Meeting Regina) – 10:53
• Mysterious Black Madonna, Ambrose Cellars (paired to Seeking a Way Back Through Time) – 24:57
• Saison d'Epeautre, La Brasserie de Blaugies (paired to Kat in Regina's Time) – 40:35

Interview Highlights:

• How Polish ancestry and the family tree led to a book different from expected – 22:15
• The stork in Polish folklore – 27:21
• The significance of the Mermaid – 34:04
• Women then and now: Whose life was harder? – 35:39
• Putting our lives into fiction--deliberate or not? – 47:48
• Seeing our lives through an image as metaphor – 53:22

COMING NEXT MONTH: Loretta Livingstone, time travel author

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Gabriel's Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology
• Release of Saint in the Cellar by Laura Vosika and Chris R. Powell

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

Ilona Parunakova is an author, diversity and inclusion speaker, and founder and CEO of IP Resilience Global and Identity Guru. She penned the best-selling books Opium of the Almond Tree, Am I Godfident, Unfiltered, Unleashed, Unapologetic, Royal Grand Berries, Success without Apology, and In the Front Line with Royal Warriors. Additionally, she has published the International Project book Godfident Voices and the children's book Bella's Butterfly. Parunakova is a TEDx international speaker who brings encouragement to audiences whenever she walks on stage. Parunakova is a direct descendant of survivors of the Armenian Genocide during World War I. She herself survived wartime in the Republic of Georgia after the collapse of the USSR. Parunakova also endured ethnic discrimination, experiencing mocking and rejection by family members, and denied admission to universities. Through it all, she has succeeded in transforming the obstacles of war, loss, and the struggle to fit in into her superpowers. Parunakova's Christian faith has been instrumental to her survival. It allowed her to see things from a positive perspective—that no matter what happens, God will always be in control of her destiny. She introduces herself unapologetically as God's Masterpiece and puts God as a CEO of her life. IP Resilience

Ilona's Readings:

• Not Naturally Ambitious – 10:50
• Beauty of the Woman – 29:02
• Identity and Society – 45:29

Michael's Beer Pairings:

• 90 Shilling, Odell Brewing Company (paired to Not Naturally Ambitious) – 7:34
• Pilsner Urquell, Plzeňský Prazdroj (paired to Beauty of the Woman) – 25:55
• Chimay Grande Réserve, Abbaye de Scourmont (paired to Identity and Society) – 41:10

Interview Highlights:

• Optimism after war, earthquake, cold, hunger, and discrimination – 20:22
• Beauty pageant won and yet there are obstacles! – 30:41
• What is inner beauty? – 35:35
• A mother's influence – 38:56
• Identity and Legacy – 47:20
• Keys to Success/Building a strong identity – 51:04

COMING NEXT MONTH: Marian McCarthy, novelist, memoirist, short story writer.

UPCOMING EVENTS: Gabriel's Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

Award-winning contemporary romance author Sadira Stone spins steamy, smoochy tales set in small businesses—a quirky bookstore, a neighborhood bar, a vintage boutique… Her stories highlight found family, friendship, and the sizzling chemistry that pulls unlikely partners together. When she emerges from her writing cave in Las Vegas, Nevada (which she seldom does), she can be found in belly dance class, or strumming her ukulele, perhaps exploring the West with her charming husband, or cooking up a storm, and always gobbling all the romance books. Sadira's promise to readers: a guaranteed HEA and no cliffhangers! www.sadirastone.com

Sadira's Readings:

• Christmas Re-Kindled, Bangers Tavern Romance #1 – 16:03
• Opposites Ignite, Bangers Tavern Romance #2 – 32:42
• Delicious Heat, Bangers Tavern Romance #3 – 41:22

Michael's Beer Pairings:

• Bell's Amber, Bell's Brewery (paired to Christmas Re-Kindled) – 12:55
• Grainbelt Nordeast, August Schell Brewing Company (paired to Opposites Ignite) – 30:35
• Dale's Pale Ale, Oskar Blues Brewery (paired to Delicous Heat) – 39:26

Interview Highlights:

• From Cozy Mystery to Romance – 27:45
• Most romantic date ever? – 29:09
• On using pseudonyms – 37:44
• How writers get started – 38:40
• Do you believe in love at first sight? – 46:16
• Influences and inspirations – 47:19
• Best thing about writing/hitting the zone – 50:03
• Advice to aspiring writers – 51:00

COMING NEXT MONTH: Motivational speaker Ilona Parunakova.

UPCOMING EVENTS: Gabriel's Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

Sloane Steele is the pen name for Shannyn Schroeder. As Sloane, her Counterfeit Capers series of heist romances are her love letter to the TV show Leverage. As Shannyn, she writes contemporary romances about big families, both those created by blood and by choice. Her books are set in the city of Chicago because having grown up there and lived near the city her whole life, she writes what she knows. Shannyn is a part-time English teacher, part-time curriculum editor, and full-time mom, even though her kids are pretty self-sufficient teens. In her down time, she bakes cookies, reads romance, and watches far too much TV. shannynschroeder.com

Shannyn's Readings:

• It Takes a Thief – 13:53
• Catch Your Breath, O' Leary Family #4 – 25:37
• My Forever Plus-One, Daring Divorcees – 42:08

Michael's Beer Pairings:

• Grain Belt Premium, August Schell Brewing Company (paired to It Takes a Thief) – 9:12
• Undercover Investigation Shutdown Ale, Lagunitas Brewing Company (paired to Catch Your Breath) – 23:26
• Family Drama, Flying Dog Brewery (paired to My Forever Plus-One) – 40:15

Interview Highlights:

• The good thieves – 18:44
• The name behind the beer (or What goes on in breweries?) – 23:52
• Finding time to write with kids – 38:00
• What is the attraction of reading about big families? – 32:14
• Conflict in romance--when you're with your best friend? – 48:24
• Using two author names – 51:37

COMING NEXT MONTH: Sadira Stone, Romance Author.

UPCOMING EVENTS: Gabriel's Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

Christine Madline Ellsworth, has just released her first book of poetry, published by Potter's Wheel Publishing. Here is a collection of poems tracing the arc of transition in a contemporary woman's life. From childhood fascinations to adult issues such as domestic violence, marriage and divorce, Ellsworth shares many relatable experiences. Ellsworth holds BA and MA degrees in English literature from Moorhead State University Moorhead and Marquette University, respectively. She is a member of the Jackpine Writer's Bloc and her poetry has appeared in issues of The Talking Stick. Her work has also appeared in Moorhead State University's Red Weather, and the South Dakota State Poetry Society's Pasque Petals. She is currently working toward certification as a certified applied poetry therapy facilitator through the International Federation of Biblio-Poetry Therapy (ifbt.org). Ellsworth was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and currently lives in Wyndmere, North Dakota with her Blue Heeler and two cats. This book is available in print and Kindle versions on Amazon. The author is available for book signings and poetry events both electronic and in person. christinemadlineellsworth.com

Christine's Readings:

• What to Wear While Saving France – 13:01
• Kitchen Table – 30:21
• Rembrandt's Light – 43:40

Michael's Beer Pairings:

• Bubble Daze IPA, Urban Growler Brewing Company (paired to What to Wear While Saving France) – 9:58
• Saison Dupont, Brasserie Dupont (paired to Kitchen Table) – 25:21
• Weihenstephaner Korbinian, Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan (paired to Rembrandt's Light) – 40:02

Interview Highlights:

• How reading poetry can save the world – 16:34
• Importance of poetry for mental development – 17:42
• Transformation as the residual effect of poetry – 23:32
• What makes a good poem? – 32:26
• How to draw in a reader through poetry – 36:26
• The fascinating life of Rembrandt – 47:58
• Transformation of a person or the transformative power of art? – 50:54

COMING NEXT MONTH: Shannyn Schroeder

UPCOMING EVENTS: Gabriel's Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

Sandy Hanna is an award-winning author for her memoir "The Ignorance of Bliss: An American Kid in Saigon," a true coming-of-age story about growing up in Vietnam in the early 60s. She current resides in Lambertville, New Jersey. As a military BRAT (British Regiment Attached Transfer) her story reveals a turbulent time where politics and intrigue resided between plot and counterplot and where, as children, she and her siblings lived in the continuous present - perhaps the only way children can live.

Ms. Hanna graduated from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois with a BA in Interdisciplinary Programs in Science and Literature and University of Massachusetts with a MED in the Biology of Cognition. Her background is one of working with children and designing learning environment for museums, theme parks, and communities. However, she sees herself as a life-time storyteller and artist.

Sandyhanna.net

Sandy Readings:

• Witnessing the Coup – 9:35
• Baby Powder & Hershey Bars – 28:27
• Brink's Bomb – 43:44

Michael's Beer Pairings:

• Maximus Colossal IPA, Lagunitas Brewing Company (paired to Witnessing the Coup) – 7:34
• Young's Double Chocolate Stout, Eagle Brewery (paired to Baby Powder & Hershey Bars) – 25:46
• Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier, Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan (paired to Brink's Bomb) – 40:24

Harvey Weissbanger Recipe

• 1 oz. Galliano
• 2 oz. Orange Juice
• 6 oz. Weissbier

Fill a collins glass with ice. Add the Galliano and orange juice. Top with Weissbier. Garnish with orange peel.

Interview Highlights:

• Did you take it for granted you survived a shooting spree? – 15:34
• The Dragon Lady and Colonel Sam's Expose – 19:12
• Did your brother's basketball start the Vietnam War? – 23:26
• Everything in life lies in acceptance – 35:26
• Military kids taking control in an out-of-control world – 36:58
• Military transport to Saigon – 51:05

COMING NEXT MONTH: Christine Madline Ellsworth, poet and 1st time novelist

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Gabriel's Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology
• Laura will be signing books Sunday, November 7, 2 to 5 pm at Maple Grove Lutheran Church, 9251 Elm Creek Blvd N, Maple Grove, MN. Several other authors from Night Writers will also be signing books.

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.