Gareth Russell: gin & Dubonnet (1 ounce gin, 2 ounces Dubinet, lemon wheel, topped with one over-sized ice cube)

Gareth discusses the questionable claims in Omid Scobie's work regarding Harry, Meghan and the Royal Family, discusses a defense of the existence of the monarchy as posed by C.S. Lewis and others, reveals aspects of the monumental research effort involved in writing his phenomenal book covering 500 years of history at Hampton Court that is full of captivating anecdotes, shares several insider stories that illuminate the charm and wit of the former Queen Mother, and shares his opinion of the least and most pleasant ways to be executed. 

Doug's Holiday Book Picks: Egg Nog (fill a rocks glass with ice, add 2 ounces bourbon, fill with egg nog (the full-fat kind), stir then top with nutmeg)

Doug picks 4 excellent books for December, then plays - free to listeners - the complete Prologue of THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF RUDOLF DIESEL, narrated by Scott Brick, courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio.

Patricia Cornwell: anejo tequila

Patricia reveals that one of the most famous characters in all of fiction, Kay Scarpetta, will soon be portrayed by Nicole Kidman, shares never-before-told stories of her childhood and the difficult times during her mother’s mental illness, paying her dues in the office of the Chief Medical Examiner in VA which brought so much of forensic science to literature and film, why outlining books doesn’t work for her, the ups and downs of her life with Billy and Ruth Bell Graham, the problem with the 3rd-person omniscient narrator when it comes to her novels, how she persevered through the rejection of many attempts at a novel early in her career, and describes the comfort and beauty of what she and Kay Scarpetta find in a good marriage.

John O'Hurley: red wine

In town for the National Dog Show, John stops by and reveals whether he thinks a Seinfeld reboot would work, revisits the controversy of his Dancing With the Stars Season 1 championship, reveals that each step in his career has begun in his imagination, his most terrifying and most wonderful moment as a parent, and reads an original work of poetry.

Mitch Albom: Ouzo (3 ounces ouzo, neat)

Mitch describes the musical prowess of his rock band that includes Scott Turow and Stephen King, retells the whirlwind that led to his 7-month stint as a piano bar act in Greece, discusses how he handled the holocaust in his new fiction THE LITTLE LIAR and how elements from that period resonate today - especially the tactic ‘to change the language’, and why he - and his books - remain hopeful. 

Martini (2 1/2 ounces gin, 1 ounce dry vermouth, 4 olives)

Award winning author and recipient of the Bronze Star, Silver Star and Purple Heart, Elliot reveals a secret handshake to counter program the famous Trump handshake-yank, shares his thoughts on the Great Man Theory of history and what he’d do about a young Hitler, how he and Adm. James Stavridis have worked together on novel writing, and gives his opinion of the best war movie ever made (you won’t see this one coming).

Andrew Klavan; Macallan 12-year scotch

Award-winning author and host Andrew Klavan discusses how conversation and real connection brought him from insanity to sanity, how he's always known he wanted to be a novelist and he gives us the plot lines of the novel he wrote when he was 14-years old, how scripture has informed his storytelling, describes his strangely brilliant and creative family relations, talks about the acceleration of cultural shifts, and shares a valuable piece of advice for listeners of all ages.

Alex & Nelson DeMille: scotch, gin & tonic with lime

The father & son team take a break from the fast-paced book tour to join DEDICATED for a 9:30am cocktail. They discuss Alex's childhood realization that his father was a major literary success, and later when Alex's 10th grade teacher assigned Nelson's novel, THE CHARM SCHOOL. They consider how much of a writer's talent is learned and how much is in the BLOODLINE (pun intended), how collaborative writing is fraught (Nelson and a previous co-writer did not have a good personal experience) and explain the method that Alex and Nelson have used to make collaboration work, and reveal the actors who could play Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor. 

Fiona Davis: Side Car (2 ounces cognac, 1 ounce Cointreau, lemon juice, garnish with orange rind)

Fiona talks about her earlier careers in theater and journalism, the rigorous research she does for her historical novels and some of the joyous moments that have happened during her research, bringing Radio City and the history of the Rockettes to life on the page in the latest novel THE SPECTACULAR, her revelation of Parkinson's disease and her work with the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and her favorite hidden bar in NYC that feels like walking through a time machine.

Lawrence Wright: vesper martini (2 1/2 ounces gin, 1 ounce vodka, 1/2 ounce Lillet blonde

The Pulitzer Prize winning author and journalist discusses the pivotal role Texas will play in the future of America, suggests Tom Cruise has a moral obligation to speak out against Scientology, reveals his notable hypnosis skills, shares his organization strategies for the hundreds of interviews and secondary sources he uses in research, the appalling treatment he received at a book event, whether religion or politics is a more powerful force in shaping our behaviors, and why some books can still connect with readers decades into the future while others cannot.