In this fun and inspiring episode, we sit down with author and entrepreneur Giovanna Silvestre, creator of Confused Girl, to talk about the journey behind the book and the woman who built a lifestyle brand from intuition, movement, and meaning. Giovanna opens up about her family, what truly drives her, and how her experiences traveling around the world shaped both her personal growth and her voice as an author.

We dive into her entrepreneurial world—from her popular yoga pants business to candles, crystals, and creating products that align with energy, intention, and self-expression. Giovanna also shares her creative process as a writer, how Confused Girl came to life, and what it means to build a business and a life that actually feels good. Expect laughs, insight, and plenty of inspiration in this candid and informative conversation.

For more visit https://confusedgirlinthecity.com/

Author Iris Kayan joins Books & Martinis to talk about her gripping novels When the Mask Slips and When Gold Weeps, featuring the sharp, complex detective Lynx Wu. We dive into mystery, hidden motives, layered characters, and what makes a detective story truly unforgettable.

🍸 If you love smart investigations, compelling leads, and behind-the-scenes insights into the writing process, this episode is for you.

🔍 In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Detective Lynx Wu as a modern, layered investigator and what makes her stand out in the urban fantasy genre

• The inspiration and world-building behind When the Mask Slips and When Gold Weeps

• Iris Kayan’s writing process and how she crafts suspense, clues, and compelling characters

Visit www.iriskayan.com for more information and to purchase her books.

In this deeply moving episode, we celebrate the life, legacy, and art of Sierra Shuck-Sparer through her remarkable book Lady Sunflower: Stories, Songs, and Poems from the Desk of Kill.Gertrude. Sierra’s mom joins us to share personal insights and the heart behind Sierra’s creative journey — from the moment of her diagnosis with high-risk medulloblastoma to the powerful work she left behind before her passing in 2024. We explore how Sierra used poetry, essays, song lyrics, zines, and curated playlists to chronicle her experience with cancer, her unwavering hope, and her unique voice as a young writer confronting unimaginable challenges. Her story is inspiring, heartbreaking, funny, insightful, and ultimately a tribute to resilience and creative expression.

Purchase here: https://a.co/d/b1ZYOGx

We’re kicking off 2026 with intention, alignment, and abundance in this podcast episode featuring Judy Balloff, author of 365 Days of Abundance. ✨

In this inspiring conversation, Judy shares practical wisdom and soulful insight on how to cultivate abundance daily, reframe mindset, and consciously step into a more expansive, fulfilled life, one day at a time. We talk about manifestation, gratitude practices, spiritual growth, abundance rituals, and how small, consistent shifts can create lasting transformation in your personal, creative, and professional life.

Perfect for anyone setting New Year intentions, exploring abundance mindset, or looking for daily spiritual practices to stay grounded and motivated throughout the year. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative, seeker, or simply ready to receive more in 2026, this episode offers grounded guidance and uplifting perspective to start the year strong.

📚 In this episode, we explore:

-The inspiration behind 365 Days of Abundance

-How to build a sustainable daily abundance practice

-Gratitude, intention-setting, and spiritual discipline

-Starting a new year with clarity, purpose, and flow

If you’re ready to call in abundance, shift your mindset, and begin 2026 with clarity and intention, this conversation is for you.

💫 Subscribe, like, and share with someone ready to receive more this year.

For more information or to purchase Judy's book: www.judyballoff.com

We’re kicking off our January Book Club with our next read: Dan Brown’s newest novel, The Secret of Secrets, marking his fourth book in the DaVinci Code series—and we could not be more excited. In this episode, we share why this pick feels like the perfect way to start the year and what makes Dan Brown’s return so anticipated.

We talk about our history with his books, what we love about his signature blend of fast-paced storytelling, big ideas, and page-turning suspense, and what we’re hoping to see in this next installment. No spoilers—just pure reader excitement and a little bookish anticipation as we head into January together.

In this captivating episode, we talk with author Elise Helliwell about her novel Within the Space of a Second—a genre-blending story that weaves time travel, love, and human connection across fractured timelines.

At its core, the book asks: What happens to love when time refuses to move in a straight line? Elise explores relationships that stretch across moments, realities, and alternate paths, where a single second can ripple outward and change everything.

✨ In this episode, we talk about:

- What inspired Within the Space of a Second and the moment the story revealed itself

- The emotional themes at the core of the book: grief, love, memory, and choice

- Elise’s creative process

- Advice for writers drawn to intimate, character-driven storytelling

If you love books that sit with you, haunt you gently, and ask you to slow down and feel, this episode is for you.

📚✨ Pour a drink, settle in, and join us for a conversation that proves sometimes everything changes… within the space of a second.

For more information: https://elisehelliwell.com/

We are team Wyvern!

Today we’re talking with romance author A.C. Wonderland about her Wyvern Hockey series, where elite athletes, found family, and fierce chemistry collide. In this episode, we dive into the inspiration behind the series, what drew her to hockey romance, and how she builds emotionally layered characters who feel real on and off the ice. We talk tropes, tension, and why sports romance resonates so deeply with readers, plus her writing process, favorite characters, and what’s coming next in the Wyvern Hockey world. If you love sports romance with heart, heat, and unforgettable characters, this episode is for you.

About One Shot (Book 1):

Lauren “Chip” Bellinger—Laur—and her hockey star brother, Nick, were inseparable until a devastating tragedy changed everything. She loses not only herself but her love for hockey.

Nine months later, Laur receives an amazing opportunity to join the marketing and PR program at West Michigan University supporting their stellar hockey team—the Wyverns. Except she never applied.

Despite her hesitancy to dive back into normal life, Laur decides to accept.

Her eyes instantly lock with Lucas Donato’s, the new captain of the Wyverns, but Laur has zero interest in getting involved with anyone romantically. Ever.

Lucas is dead set on bringing the team to the Frozen Four this year, while also hoping to make an early impression on NHL scouts. He can’t lose sight of his one shot at his first season as captain.

Despite their best efforts, Laur and Lucas find themselves constantly together. Sparks fly between them. Laur refuses to let her heart dictate her decisions while Lucas tries his best to push his feelings aside.

But the universe has other plans for Lucas and Laur this hockey season.

Does Lucas let the sparks between him and Laur turn into an ice melting flame?

Can Laur keep her promise to herself to swear off love and avoid falling for the captain?

Will Lucas bring the team to victory?

Find out in One Shot.

Purchase & learn more here: https://www.acwonderlandwrites.com/

Ruby. Freaking. Dixon.

Yes, the Spur Queen, creator of Ice Planet Barbarians, and the best selling author of alien romance, joined us on Books & Martinis and she delivered a masterclass while keeping it real.

In this episode, Ruby drops essential writing advice, fantasy romance tips, and behind-the-scenes gems about creating viral sci-fi romance that shook BookTok, BookTube, and pretty much the entire reading universe.

We talk:

✨ Ice Planet Barbarians origins & fandom culture

✨ How she builds addictive & diverse romance book characters

✨ Insider writing tips for new authors

✨ Her publishing journey

✨ Crafting immersive sci-fi/fantasy romance worlds

✨ Blue cinnamon rolls, chaos, spice & reader ferality

✨ And how she has inspired so many!

Whether you’re a writer, a reader, an alien-lover (no judgment), or a Ruby Dixon superfan, this episode serves insight, sass, and pure author brilliance.

For more about Ruby, visit www.rubydixon.com

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Fredrik Backman's 'My Friends' is our December 2025 Book Club pick! There are so many great reviews about this book we had to end the year with this NY Times best seller!

About My Friends:

Four teenagers whose friendship creates a bond so powerful that it changes a complete stranger’s life twenty-five years later.

Most people don’t even notice them—three tiny figures sitting at the end of a long pier in the corner of one of the most famous paintings in the world. Most people think it’s just a depiction of the sea. But Louisa, an aspiring artist herself, knows otherwise, and she is determined to find out the story of these three enigmatic figures.

Twenty-five years earlier, in a distant seaside town, a group of teenagers find refuge from their bruising home lives by spending long summer days on an abandoned pier, telling silly jokes, sharing secrets, and committing small acts of rebellion. These lost souls find in each other a reason to get up each morning, a reason to dream, a reason to love.

Out of that summer emerges a transcendent work of art, a painting that will unexpectedly be placed into eighteen-year-old Louisa’s care. She embarks on a surprise-filled cross-country journey to learn how the painting came to be and to decide what to do with it. The closer she gets to the painting’s birthplace, the more nervous she becomes about what she’ll find. Louisa is proof that happy endings don’t always take the form we expect in this stunning testament to the transformative, timeless power of friendship and art.

We had a great time interviewing author Brian Hester about the book he co-authored with Barbara Beam, She Talks to Fish! More than just a couple of martinis and a bourbon -- we covered everything from how his role as a teacher influenced this story to what it takes to be a writer.

About She Talks to Fish:

SHE TALKS TO FISH is a story about a young lady navigating her life’s path that

centers around fly fishing and its unforgiving fortunes. Along the voyage, the faith of

Maya’s childhood is galvanized by the spiritual and practical lessons gleaned from her

American Indian friends and her own experiences. Maya’s and Ed’s lives will forever be

tethered with a bond of mutual rescuers as Ed saves her, and she saves him, both

literally and figuratively. The life cycle thread between Ed and Maya is captured in none

other than what lies beneath the rivers’ surfaces and the beautiful creatures that occupy

those spaces. Fish are her counsel and through the extension of a fly rod, Maya finds

her place as She Talks to Fish.

If you are looking for an exciting book that encourages hope, then SHE TALKS TO

FISH is the book for you. When the human condition is no match for the human spirit,

resolute survival is the only option. Maya Jones is a survivor--- a survivor who talks to

fish.

To connect with Brian and Barbara: www.shetalkstofish.com

Insta: @shetalkstofish

Also mentioned in this episode: www.hookedflyco.com

Insta: @bhester.hookedflycompany