Unexpected Ohio: From Lake Erie to Hocking Hills, discover the surprising beauty of the Buckeye State

Did you know Ohio's not just cornfields? Join our author of the week, Libby Kay, as she tells us all about the surprisingly diverse landscapes of Ohio, from bustling cities like Columbus and Cleveland to serene hiking spots and Lake Erie’s vibrant lakeside life.

Libby also discusses her writing journey, her background in history and librarianship, and her penchant for small-town romances. Our book of the week, Falling Home, is the first book in Libby’s Buckeye Falls series. Inspired by a charming diner in Galena, OH, it's got all the small-town, Hallmark vibes.

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Every week at Literary Escapes, we travel through the pages to a new destination, discovering the landscapes and heartbeats of different states through the wonderful world of books. From the golden coasts of California to the lively streets of New York City, each book we explore offers a unique slice of life and culture, all from the comfort of your favorite reading nook.

Find links to the books, author, and book club here:

https://literaryescapes.fun/ep-138-exploring-ohio-with-author-libby-kay/

Historical Gems to Christmas Cheer - How Jess Hansen Brings Historic Delaware to Life

Our journey through the fifty states is nearing its end and today we are stopping in Delaware with author Jess Hansen.

Jess gives us a delightful tour of Delaware highlighting its flat geography, crowded beaches, and charming, small-town feel. For many, Delaware might be just a pass-through state, but Jess brings its uniqueness to life in her stories.

Jess especially loves to write stories set at Christmas time. Why Christmas? Jess loves holiday romances because they embody kindness, generosity, and that warm fuzzy feeling we all crave. This week's book is The Hope of Christmas in which we follow Sadie's journey as she navigates life after inheriting her grandmother’s home and secondhand bookshop.

Don’t miss this heartwarming episode brimming with plenty of cozy, coastal vibes and holiday magic.

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CLICK HERE to check out the SHOW NOTES for this episode!

Are you an author who would like to join me for a conversation on the podcast?

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Every week at Literary Escapes, we travel through the pages to a new destination, discovering the landscapes and heartbeats of different states through the wonderful world of books. From the golden coasts of California to the lively streets of New York City, each book we explore offers a unique slice of life and culture, all from the comfort of your favorite reading nook.

Find links to the books, author, and book club here:

https://literaryescapes.fun/ep-137-exploring-delaware-with-author-jess-hansen/

Fall Foliage and Romance: Erin Branscom on New Hampshire and Writing

From the stunning fall foliage of the Kancamagus Highway to quaint small towns adorned with covered bridges, you'll be enchanted by the charm that inspired Erin's beloved book series set in New Hampshire. This series is set against the fall beauty of New Hampshire, where the town of Freedom Valley is a fictional slice of heaven inspired by North Conway.

The first book in Erin’s Freedom Valley series is Falling Inn Love and is her debut novel. The story revolves around saving an inn, lost loves, and a romance writer stranded in a cozy small town.

Erin is also starting a new series with “Yellowstone” vibes and is set in the Rockies explores contemporary romance with a hint of suspense.

So let’s get ready for a literary escape filled with emotional revelations, cozy small-town charm, and the scenic beauty of New Hampshire!

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CLICK HERE to check out the SHOW NOTES for this episode!

Are you an author who would like to join me for a conversation on the podcast?

CLICK HERE to get more information and fill out the form.

Every week at Literary Escapes, we travel through the pages to a new destination, discovering the landscapes and heartbeats of different states through the wonderful world of books. From the golden coasts of California to the lively streets of New York City, each book we explore offers a unique slice of life and culture, all from the comfort of your favorite reading nook.

Find links to the books, author, and book club here:

https://literaryescapes.fun/ep-136-exploring-new-hampshire-with-author-erin-branscom/

From Legal Briefs to Rom-Coms: Ash Keller's Maine Inspiration

This week, we are soaking up the picturesque, atmospheric charm of Maine with author Ash Keller. Ash shares her transition from a trial lawyer to author of clean, wholesome romcoms, and tells how she likes to channel life experiences into heartwarming stories.

She started with children's books before pivoting to clean and wholesome romcoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now she writes middle-grade and clean rom-coms which both share a fun, light-hearted approach to stories.

Ash is co-writing the “When in Maine" series, with her author bestie, Sophie Lee Robbins. This series is set in the fictional town of Fog Harbor, Maine, and features standalone books interconnected by characters and setting. In "The Maine Attraction," Ash Keller introduces us to a retired hockey player seeking solace in a secluded lighthouse. But what happens when he runs into his childhood nemesis, now a local contractor?

Let’s go to Maine and find out!

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CLICK HERE to check out the SHOW NOTES for this episode!

Are you an author who would like to join me for a conversation on the podcast?

CLICK HERE to get more information and fill out the form.

Every week at Literary Escapes, we travel through the pages to a new destination, discovering the landscapes and heartbeats of different states through the wonderful world of books. From the golden coasts of California to the lively streets of New York City, each book we explore offers a unique slice of life and culture, all from the comfort of your favorite reading nook.

Find links to the books, author, and book club here:

https://literaryescapes.fun/ep-135-exploring-maine-with-author-ash-keller/

New Mexico Inspirations: Kat Bellemore on Writing Cozy Mysteries and Small-Town Romances

In this episode we are chatting with author Kat Bellemore.

Join us as we delve into her fascinating world of cozy mysteries and sweet romances, set against the captivating backdrop of New Mexico and beyond. Kat moved there seven years ago, and she fell in love with its unexpected beauty. Her fiction is infused with the variety of New Mexico, from hot air balloons to White Sands National Park. From unexpected monsoons to the vibrant desert landscape, discover how the state’s unique beauty influences her storytelling.

Kat's series, Maddie Swallows Mysteries, are set in New Mexico, and feature psychologist Maddie Swallows as she returns to her hometown and immediately becomes a murder suspect.

Kat also talks about her transition from writing small-town romances to cozy mysteries, explaining how the genres complement each other due to their similar tones and slow romantic builds amidst the suspense. She discusses her independent publishing journey, which grants her creative freedom but requires strong personal marketing efforts. And she shares her current read and upcoming book releases!

Ready for a deep dive into murder, suspense, and... New Mexico? Let's go!

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Are you an author who would like to join me for a conversation on the podcast?

CLICK HERE to get more information and fill out the form.

Every week at Literary Escapes, we travel through the pages to a new destination, discovering the landscapes and heartbeats of different states through the wonderful world of books. From the golden coasts of California to the lively streets of New York City, each book we explore offers a unique slice of life and culture, all from the comfort of your favorite reading nook.

Find links to the books, author, and book club here:

https://literaryescapes.fun/ep-134-exploring-new-mexico-with-author-kat-bellemore/

Literary Adventures in Kentucky: Discovering Kentucky's Gilded Age with Historical Author Lisa Prysock

This week on Literary Escapes we are talking to author Lisa Prysock all about Kentucky.

Lisa’s deep research into Kentucky’s history, especially horse racing and the Gilded Age, adds rich, authentic detail to her series, Kentucky Debutantes of the Gilded Age, and brings to life the vibrant culture of Kentucky, filled with tales of horse racing, bourbon, and more.

Lisa also describes how her Christian faith influences her work, creating deeply inspirational stories. She also delves into her path from an early love for writing, intensified by a pastor's encouragement at a prayer meeting, to becoming a successful author with nearly 60 books published.

Away we go!

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CLICK HERE to check out the SHOW NOTES for this episode!

Are you an author who would like to join me for a conversation on the podcast?

CLICK HERE to get more information and fill out the form.

Every week at Literary Escapes, we travel through the pages to a new destination, discovering the landscapes and heartbeats of different states through the wonderful world of books. From the golden coasts of California to the lively streets of New York City, each book we explore offers a unique slice of life and culture, all from the comfort of your favorite reading nook.

Find links to the books, author, and book club here:

https://literaryescapes.fun/ep-133-exploring-kentucky-with-author-lisa-prysock/

From Legal Writer to Mystery Author: Sarah Fox on Vermont and Cozies

This week, we're continuing our journey across the United States with a stop in the picturesque state of Vermont – just in time for the fall leaf season!

Our author of the week is Sarah Fox, author of the beloved Literary Pub Mysteries series. Featuring the charming fictional town of Shady Creek and book one of the series, Wine and Punishment, Sarah shares insights into her writing process and what makes Vermont the perfect setting for cozy mysteries.

Becki and Sarah dig into the details of Fox’s Literary Pub series, particularly the first book, "Wine and Punishment," and how the concept evolved from a bookstore to a literary pub. They also discuss Fox’s approach to plotting—somewhere between plotting and "pantsing" (writing by the seat of one's pants)—and the tricky task of coming up with unique murder methods. Sarah shares her experience of creating multiple mystery series, addressing challenges like keeping characters and settings consistent and balancing overlapping series.

Grab your favorite cup of tea, cozy up in your favorite reading nook, and tune in!

CLICK HERE to sign up for the BOOK CLUB!

CLICK HERE to check out the SHOW NOTES for this episode!

Are you an author who would like to join me for a conversation on the podcast?

CLICK HERE to get more information and fill out the form.

Every week at Literary Escapes, we travel through the pages to a new destination, discovering the landscapes and heartbeats of different states through the wonderful world of books. From the golden coasts of California to the lively streets of New York City, each book we explore offers a unique slice of life and culture, all from the comfort of your favorite reading nook.

Find links to the books, author, and book club here:

https://literaryescapes.fun/ep-132-exploring-vermont-with-author-sarah-fox/

This week we are getting a taste of Wisconsin's unique landscape, including rolling dairy farms, the majestic Wisconsin River, and the charming fictional town of Harmony.

Author Suzanne Bolden shares her insights into the writing process, details about her current projects, and her love for the Driftless Area of Southwestern Wisconsin—a unique, unglaciated region where her Parker Photography Cozy Mysteries series is set.

In book one, the main character, Jackie, a world-famous photographer, returns to Harmony to run her family's photography studio and soon finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery.

Are you a spreadsheet lover? Suzanne uses spreadsheets and sticky notes to track characters, clues, and story details which helps her to manage an impressive roster of around 170 characters across 12 books! That’s impressive organization!

Let’s head to Harmony, nestled along the banks of the Wisconsin River and surrounded by wooded hills and bluffs, and enjoy a fun mystery!

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CLICK HERE to check out the SHOW NOTES for this episode!

Are you an author who would like to join me for a conversation on the podcast?

CLICK HERE to get more information and fill out the form.

Every week at Literary Escapes, we travel through the pages to a new destination, discovering the landscapes and heartbeats of different states through the wonderful world of books. From the golden coasts of California to the lively streets of New York City, each book we explore offers a unique slice of life and culture, all from the comfort of your favorite reading nook.

Find links to the books, author, and book club here:

https://literaryescapes.fun/ep-131-exploring-wisconsin-with-author-suzanne-bolden/

Dive into Maryland's charm with Cindy Kirk and her book, The Pink House!

For her fictional town of GraceTown, the setting of The Pink House, Cindy chose Frederick, Maryland, as her inspiration. She captures the small-town feel and integrates the local culture and historical elements into her imagined town. From local treats like Old Bay seasoning to authentic cultural nuances, her careful research adds flavor to every story.

Cindy's GraceTown series also explores unique fantasy elements. From an angel helping townsfolk during the Spanish flu to a magical music box transporting through time, her stories are a blend of reality & wonder.

Are you ready to escape to Maryland?

CLICK HERE to sign up for the BOOK CLUB!

CLICK HERE to check out the SHOW NOTES for this episode!

Are you an author who would like to join me for a conversation on the podcast?

CLICK HERE to get more information and fill out the form.

Every week at Literary Escapes, we travel through the pages to a new destination, discovering the landscapes and heartbeats of different states through the wonderful world of books. From the golden coasts of California to the lively streets of New York City, each book we explore offers a unique slice of life and culture, all from the comfort of your favorite reading nook.

Find links to the books, author, and book club here:

https://literaryescapes.fun/ep-129-exploring-maryland-with-author-cindy-kirk/

From the hills and trees of the northern lower peninsula to the allure of Mackinac Island and Lake Michigan’s ocean-like shores, this week’s author, Katherine Karrol, introduces us to Michigan.

Discover how Katherine transitioned from wanting to write a funny, self-help book about mental health, into fiction, all while balancing her day job as a therapist. Inspired by chapter prompts during a Wi-Fi-free night, Katherine Karrol found her fiction-writing spark. Her journey proves that sometimes, creativity blooms in the most unexpected moments.

CLICK HERE to sign up for the BOOK CLUB!

CLICK HERE to check out the SHOW NOTES for this episode!

Are you an author who would like to join me for a conversation on the podcast?

CLICK HERE to get more information and fill out the form.

Every week at Literary Escapes, we travel through the pages to a new destination, discovering the landscapes and heartbeats of different states through the wonderful world of books. From the golden coasts of California to the lively streets of New York City, each book we explore offers a unique slice of life and culture, all from the comfort of your favorite reading nook.

Find links to the books, author, and book club here:

https://literaryescapes.fun/ep-129-exploring-michigan-with-author-katherine-karrol/