🎙️ What happens when the extraordinary enters an ordinary life—and certainty gives way to mystery?

We welcome back author Lou Pugliese, whose new thriller, The Portal, has just been released! 📖

From an international career with Toyota to teaching business in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Lou brings a wealth of experience, extensive travel, and a love of obscure research to his fiction. His stories weave subtle paranormal elements into realistic relationships, exploring the emotional consequences of events that defy explanation.

Now settled in Green Cove Springs, Florida, with his wife Kathy and their dog Mitch, Lou also hosts the Florida Writers Association’s monthly Clay County chapter.Stay in touch with Lou: https://loupuglieseauthor.com/

✨ Tune in, follow the podcast so you never miss an episode, and share this post with a friend who loves a mystery!

#MurderMysteryAndMayhemLacedWithMorality #LouPugliese #ThePortal #AuthorInterview #MysteryReaders #ThrillerBooks #Bookstagram #WritingCommunity #FloridaAuthors #SuspenseMeetsSubstance

HIGH EXPOSURE: Romance, Danger & Faith with Debut Author Kelly Borjas

What happens when a travel blogger running from her past—and from God—stumbles across a dead body in a snow-covered Colorado town?

On this episode of Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality, Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes welcomes debut romantic suspense author Kelly Borjas for a conversation about faith, fiction, danger, romance, and the journey from aspiring writer to published novelist.

Kelly’s debut novel, High Exposure, launches an adventure-driven romantic suspense series from Kregel Publications.

Travel blogger Julia Stevens arrives in snowy Silverberg, Colorado, determined to complete one final assignment before beginning a new career in journalism. But Silverberg forces Julia to confront more than she bargained for—including the sport connected to her sister’s death, the God she’s been running from, and a dead body that may be connected to something far more dangerous.

Enter Cade Haskins, a former DEA agent who has returned home after a failed mission to help care for his father. When Julia’s curiosity leads her dangerously close to a meth ring, Cade finds himself drawn back into the kind of danger he hoped he’d left behind—and increasingly drawn to Julia.

Kelly joins us to talk about the inspiration behind High Exposure, creating suspense and romance against the breathtaking—and unforgiving—backdrop of Colorado, writing characters wrestling with faith and loss, and the long road to becoming a traditionally published author.

We also explore Kelly’s own story. A love of inspirational fiction that began when an eighth-grade teacher handed her a Janette Oke novel eventually grew into a passion for writing stories filled with adventure, escape, unforgettable love, grace, and hope.

Kelly grew up in Southwest Colorado and earned her degree in Communication Studies from Biola University and a master’s degree in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Azusa Pacific University. She now lives on California’s Central Coast with her husband and three boys. When she isn’t writing romantic suspense, she enjoys boating, camping, running, spending time outdoors, and podcasting with The Lit Ladies Podcast.

Kelly is represented by Lynette Eason of The Steve Laube Agency.

High Exposure releases September 15, 2026, from Kregel Publications.

Learn more about Kelly, High Exposure, and her upcoming books at KellyBorjas.com.

Website: KellyBorjas.com

#KellyBorjas #HighExposure #RomanticSuspense #ChristianRomanticSuspense #ChristianFiction #InspirationalFiction #SuspenseBooks #FaithAndFiction #ChristianAuthors #DebutAuthor #KregelPublications #BookPodcast #AuthorInterview #MysteryAndSuspense #RomanceReaders #FaithHopeAndLove #BooksWithHope #TheLitLadies #MurderMysteryAndMayhem #MurderMysteryMayhemLacedWithMorality

🎙️ Chad Boudreaux on Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality

What does it take to lead when the stakes could not be higher?

In this compelling episode, I speak with Chad Boudreaux about leadership, national security, resilience, public service, and navigating extraordinary responsibility.

Chad’s remarkable career includes serving in several high-ranking positions at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he was hired the night before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He later served in as Deputy Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, advising Secretary Michael Chertoff on significant matters confronting the newly established department.

Chad went on to become Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of the nation’s largest military shipbuilder, bringing together an extraordinary breadth of government, legal, and corporate experience.

In this episode, we discuss service, courage, decision-making, resilience, and the experiences that shape the stories we tell.

Learn more about Chad Boudreaux:Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/chadboudreauxWebsite: https://www.chadboudreaux.com/about/

Follow the podcast, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. After listening, share the moment that made the greatest impression on you.

#ChadBoudreaux #PodcastGuest #MurderMysteryAndMayhem #LacedWithMorality #SuspenseWithSubstance #Leadership #NationalSecurity #HomelandSecurity #DepartmentOfJustice #ExecutiveLeadership #LegalLeadership #PublicService #Resilience #CourageousLeadership #AuthorPodcast #PodcastInterview #MustListenPodcast

What happens when a 54-year-old woman loses her marriage, her job, and nearly everything she owns—and decides to start over in Paris?

In this episode of Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality, Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes welcomes debut author Lauren Johnson, author of The Soufflé Also Rises, a hilarious and fast-paced midlife reinvention mystery.

Lizi Cleverly is broke, unemployed, and determined to pursue her long-forgotten dream of becoming a novelist. But when she lands in Paris, an unexpected hotel stay puts her in the middle of the notorious Harry Winston jewel heist. Soon, Lizi and her much younger friend Frankie are running from the Serbian mafia while trying to stay ahead of a trail of dead bodies.

Lauren talks about midlife reinvention, second chances, fearless women, humor, mystery, friendship, and why it's never too late to become the person you're meant to be.

If you love witty mysteries, unforgettable women sleuths, Parisian adventures, and a healthy dose of mayhem, this is an episode you won't want to miss!

The Soufflé Also Rises by Lauren Johnson
Book 1 of the Lizi Cleverly Midlife Badass Detective Series

Buy *The Soufflé Also Rises* on Amazon

Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality features fascinating authors, compelling mysteries, unforgettable characters, and the moral questions hiding beneath the mayhem.

Because sometimes the best stories don't just entertain us—they make us think.

Listen. Subscribe. Share. And join the conversation!

#MurderMysteryAndMayhem #LacedWithMorality #LaurenJohnson #TheSouffleAlsoRises #LiziCleverly #MidlifeBadass #MidlifeReinvention #MysteryFiction #WomenSleuths #MysteryAuthor #BookPodcast #AuthorInterview #BookLovers #ParisFiction #WomensFiction #SecondChances #NeverTooLate #BookRecommendations

Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality: Lauren Johnson📖 Get Lauren's Book🎧 About the Podcast

Who Is Hunting Whom? — The God Hunter and the Search That Changes Everything🎙️

What happens when a grieving child goes searching for God—only to discover that God was never lost in the first place?

In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode of Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality, Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes sits down with award-winning authors Annette Marie Griffin and Franella Smith, co-authors of The God Hunter, an adventurous story about Simi, a young boy in Kenya who sets out on a courageous quest after losing his father.

As Simi searches for answers, he encounters danger, friendship, wonder, and unexpected discoveries that challenge everything he thought he knew about God. But his greatest discovery may be the most profound: sometimes the One we're searching for has been searching for us all along.

Join us as we explore the inspiration behind The God Hunter, the role of grief in children's stories, the importance of faith and representation, and how powerful storytelling can help young readers navigate life's biggest questions.

✨ In this episode, we talk about:

• The inspiration behind The God Hunter

• Simi's journey through grief and loss

• Why the story is set in Kenya

• Writing meaningful faith-based stories for children

• Courage, friendship, and finding hope

• The difference between searching for God and discovering that God has been present all along

• The power of collaboration between two authors

• How stories can open meaningful conversations between children, parents, and families

Annette Marie Griffin is an award-winning author, acquisitions editor, columnist, writing instructor, and speaker who creates timeless stories designed to help readers find home.

Franella Smith holds an MFA from Southern New Hampshire University and is an award-winning writer as well as a registered and licensed dietitian with more than 20 years of professional experience.

🎧 Listen, share, and join the conversation: What happens when we stop searching for God long enough to recognize that He has been with us all along?

The answer might surprise you.

What happens when faith, history, literature, music, and a love of the mysterious come together in one remarkable storyteller?

In this episode of Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality, Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes welcomes Avellina Balestri, a Catholic author, editor, historian, speaker, and musician whose creative work spans historical fiction, poetry, essays, literary scholarship, and music.

Avellina takes us on a fascinating journey through the stories and traditions that have shaped her imagination—from the Middle Ages and British history to Early America, the Long 18th Century, and Middle Eastern culture. We’ll explore her novels Saplings of Sherwood and All Ye That Pass By, her poetry collections Pendragon’s Shield and Torn by Grace, and her work as Editor-in-Chief of Fellowship & Fairydust.

But there is much more to Avellina's story.

She has participated in literary and interfaith conferences at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, hosted a Tolkien-themed literary conference at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, and contributed to more than forty publications. She is also a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who plays penny whistle, bodhrán drum, and autoharp and has performed with the Celtic band Across the Pond.

Join us for a conversation about faith and fiction, history and imagination, the sacred feminine, literature, music, morality, and the stories that stay with us long after the final page.

Could the past hold clues for how we understand the present? Can stories illuminate truth? And what happens when a love of history meets a deeply rooted faith?

Press play and discover the fascinating world of Avellina Balestri.

🌐 Learn more about Avellina:
avellinabalestri.com

Murder. Mystery. Mayhem. Morality. And the stories behind the stories.

#AvellinaBalestri #MurderMysteryAndMayhem #LacedWithMorality #ChristianAuthors #CatholicAuthors #HistoricalFiction #FaithAndFiction #ChristianPodcast #LiteraryPodcast #CatholicLiterature #HistoricalFictionAuthor #FaithBasedStories #WomenWriters #ChristianWriting #Storytelling #HistoryAndFaith #DressedInLovePress

🎙️ FEATURED GUEST: SHARISSA BRADLEY

Author • Podcaster • Speaker • Health Advocate

Author of Journey Back to Health

This Sunday on Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality, Sharissa Bradley joins Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes for an empowering conversation about the connection between mind, body, and emotional well-being.

Drawing on her background in experimental psychology, nutrition, and education, Sharissa shares practical insight into overcoming challenges, prioritizing self-care, and making small, sustainable changes that can lead to powerful transformation.

🎧 Listen this Sunday, August 2!

🌐 Discover more at sharissabradley.com.

👉 Follow, listen, and share this episode with someone who is ready to begin their own journey back to health.

#SharissaBradley #JourneyBackToHealth #FeaturedGuest #AuthorSpotlight #PodcastInterview #MurderMysteryAndMayhem #LacedWithMorality #HealthAdvocate #EmotionalIntelligence #HolisticWellness #MindBodyHealth #WellnessJourney #SmallChangesBigResults

🎙️ Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality welcomes Erik D’Souza!

This week, we’re heading to beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, to sit down with author, publisher, podcast host, and literary community leader Erik D’Souza.

As the co-owner of Timbercrest Publishing, Erik has dedicated his career to helping writers succeed while crafting compelling mysteries of his own. His acclaimed Suzanne Rickson Mystery Series introduces readers to Suzanne Rickson—a brilliant amateur sleuth, devoted grandmother, and woman of faith whose investigations are often guided by conversations with her trusted priest, Father O’Brian. His debut in the series, Death in Halfmoon Bay, has captivated readers who enjoy traditional mysteries with heart, suspense, and unforgettable characters. 

Beyond writing, Erik serves as the social media and podcast host for Crime Writers of Canada, a national organization supporting Canadian mystery and crime writers. He is also president of the Tri-City Wordsmiths and hosts the popular Writers in Our Midst reading series, encouraging creativity and collaboration throughout the Vancouver writing community. 

Join us as we discuss:

• Writing compelling traditional mysteries
• Creating memorable amateur sleuths
• Building a thriving writing community
• Publishing and supporting fellow authors
• Faith, storytelling, and the creative life

Learn more about Erik and his books:

• ErikD'Souza.com⁠
• Timbercrest Publishing⁠

What happens when Earth itself becomes the greatest mystery of all?

This week on Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem Laced with Morality, Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes sits down with Colin Brush, author of the gripping science fiction thriller EXO. Combining the intricate intrigue of a spy novel with breathtaking speculative fiction, EXO introduces readers to a future where humanity has abandoned Earth—and where the planet’s oceans have transformed into a mysterious, sentient force known as the Caul.

Together, Katherine and Colin explore:

• The inspiration behind EXO and its unforgettable world-building.
• How mystery, science fiction, and suspense intersect to tell deeply human stories.
• The challenges of creating morally complex characters and impossible choices.
• Colin’s remarkable publishing journey—from writing jacket copy for more than 5,000 books to publishing his own debut novel.
• Why curiosity, imagination, and hope remain at the heart of great storytelling.

Whether you’re a fan of science fiction, thrillers, mysteries, or stories that ask profound questions about humanity’s future, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

🎧 Subscribe, listen, and discover why EXO is already generating excitement among fans of intelligent speculative fiction. Contact Colin: https://www.colinthecopywriter.com/about

#MurderMysteryMayhem #ColinBrush #EXO #ScienceFiction #SciFiMystery #SpeculativeFiction #BookPodcast #AuthorInterview #ChristianPodcaster #BookLovers #ThrillerBooks #MysteryReaders #WritingCommunity #ReadersOfInstagram #PodcastRecommendation

What do wars, Pulitzer Prize-winninginvestigations, presidential elections, Hollywood screenplays, independentfilms, publishing, entrepreneurship, and faith have in common?

John Winn-Miller.

On this powerful episode of Murder,Mystery, and Mayhem Laced with Morality, we sit down with one of the mostaccomplished storytellers of our time.

As an award-winning investigativereporter, foreign correspondent, newspaper publisher, screenwriter, filmmaker,entrepreneur, music producer, and educator, John has spent decades uncoveringtruth in some of the world’s most dangerous and fascinating places.

From reporting on wars in the MiddleEast and Africa, covering the hijacking of the Achille Lauro,traveling with Pope John Paul II, and helping lead Pulitzer Prize-finalistinvestigative journalism, to producing feature films and mentoring the nextgeneration of journalists, John’s extraordinary journey is filled with lessonson courage, perseverance, integrity, and purpose.

✨ In this episode, John shares:
🔎 The biggest lessons from a lifetimeof investigative journalism
🌍 Stories from covering history as itunfolded around the world
🎬 His transition from journalism toscreenwriting and film production
💡 The mindset behind sustained successacross multiple careers
❤️ Why integrity and faith continue to guide every chapter ofhis life

Whether you’re a writer, journalist,entrepreneur, creative, or simply someone looking for inspiration, this is anepisode you won’t want to miss. Stay in touch with John…https://www.johnwinnmiller.com/

🎧 Tune in to discover why John Winn-Miller continuesto inspire generations of storytellers—and how you can apply his timelessprinciples to your own life and calling.

#JohnWinnMiller#MurderMysteryAndMayhem #PodcastGuest #InvestigativeJournalism #Storytelling#ForeignCorrespondent #Pulitzer #Screenwriter #FilmProducer #Leadership#SuccessMindset #ChristianPodcast #FaithAndWork #PurposeDrivenLife #Journalism#AuthorInterview #PodcastLife #WritersCommunity #Inspiration#DressedInLovePress