Baseball, Books, and Banter: A Podcast by Nicole Asselin

My first podcast spotlight post!  And I couldn't imagine starting with a better author! Lucy Burdette is the author of the Key West Food Critic Mysteries, books 15 (THE MANGO MURDERS) and 16 (A DEADLY DECEPTION) out now! (Or at least 15 is out as of now, book 16 is out July 14.) This spotlight is part of Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours: https://www.escapewithdollycas.com/great-escapes-virtual-boo...

Lucky number 13! Welcome back to Adrian Andover! Award-winning author of debut cozy WHISKEY BUSINESS returns with next in the series POUR CHOICES (out June 30). We talk about breaking barriers, empathy, family support, and platonic love. It was a convo, ya'll! What didn't we talk about? Baseball. Every episode, we say we're going to talk about the Pirates, and every episode I yammer so much we don...

Are you ready to hear about a rip-roaring adventure on the high seas? Then tune into this discussion with the author Julie Gerstenblatt of the new novel THE STARGAZER OF NANTUCKET. Find out about researching ships when you're prone to sea sickness, strong women-led stories, and much more! Plus, book recommendations, the state of the Red Sox (hint, still not good!), and things I'm obsessed with thi...

Welcome to the A JEWEL OF A CRIME (Venus Bixby Mystery) stop on the Great Escapes Book Tour!  Valerie Taylor joins me to discuss her journey to cozy mysteries, the importance of good/realistic dialogue, love of the Red Sox, and the uniqueness of her characters! Also, hear my hot takes on the current Red Sox season, book recommendations, and my latest on the Minor League Mysteries! Then, go follow...

Join me as I chat with the busiest author in Maine! Matt Cost is a reformed Junior High Teacher, mystery bookshop owner, and published author of over 15 books! We discuss writing/editing muliple series, the other side of writing, and the magic of community.  Plus, book recommendations, Red Sox thoughts, my hatred of analytics in baseball, and the variable life of a published author. Find Matt: htt...

Another Level Best Books author joins me on the podcast! After several fits and starts (mainly b/c I can't get my brain to work with scheduling), I finally get the chance to talk mysteries and writing with the AMAZING Sharon Lynn. We dive into her Cotswold Crime Mysteries and discuss all things drafting/writing/reading! Plus, the disaster that was the Boston teams in the playoffs (Celtics/Bruins),...

Do you know the history of Tigers player Ron LeFlore? If not, you should. My special guest, Adam Henig, discusses his new biography, BASEBALL'S OUTCAST, about the gifted athlete. A roller coaster ride for sure, from petty crime to prison, to the Detroit Tigers major league team. Join us as we discuss baseball of the past, the forgotten people of history, and the complicated life of a great basebal...

Welcome to the Urban Swashbuckler TJ Glenn! A real jack of all trades, he has had careers as a stuntman, actor, artist, and author! His newest book, Call Down the Lightning, is a thriller touching on aspects of PTSD. We discuss writing as a way to let people be seen and understood, plus the fun of writing fantasy! Also, stay tuned for later this year when his first Jack Silence collection of stori...

This is why I do my podcast. Finding authors (or authors finding me) and learning so much about their history and writing process. I was lucky enough to read Christi's book, LAFITTE LIVES, before it's release date. If you like historical fiction, pirates/privateers, New Orleans, and family love, this book is for you! Enjoy the discussion on how a historical book comes together and how personal the...

Welcome Kellie Murphy (author name KL Murphy) to the BBB podcast family! A fellow Level Bestie, we talk about how writing short stories can refine a writer's voice, the importance of research, the struggle of small publishing, and so much more! We also talk about how much we love the crime writing community! Find Kellie:   https://kellielarsenmurphy.com/ Plus, my most viral Instagram video is also...

So excited to welcome back my friend Darlene Dziomba to the podcast for the third time! She's the first member of the three-timer club and then she starts a baseball rumor that is so explosive I want to make sure we get credit if it actually happens. Come for the book talk, stay for the piping hot trade rumors (between the Phillies and Red Sox anyway). We talk about her newest book, the 5th (!) in...

It's the return of Dale T. Phillips. This guy literally does EVERYTHING. Writes, teaches, competes on Jeopardy, and gives Super Bowl predictions. Spoiler alert: both NE residents pick NE to win. Plus, things I'm obsessed with: Annie's Book Stop in Raynham, Olympic Curling (the best!), and of course, Diet Coke. Book recommendations can be found on my Bookshop.com link! https://bookshop.org/shop/nic...

Happy finally end of January! Sandy and Jim Manning are two authors that I've had the pleasure of meeting at the NE Crime Bake every year. Not only are they authors in their own right, they are also collaborating on a new joint venture! They join me from sunny Florida to discuss all things writing! Sandy (S. Lee): https://www.sleemanning.com/ Jim (JB): https://www.jamesbmanning.com/ Together: http...

Happy 2026! The world is on fire! But at least there are still books (for now). My first episode of the new season is the awesome Carmela Dutra! Her debut cozy mystery, A MURDER MOST FOWL, is laugh out loud funny, and hits all the right cozy points with a clever twist. Plus, the writers journey, always shooting your shot, and the process of creating these worlds! Find Carmela: https://carmeladutra...

This is the best. Olivia Blacke is one my favorite people in the mystery world, and I was so glad she decided to come back on the podcast! She was my first ever guest when I started this journey in 2023.  Now she's my final guest of 2025! Since we last spoke, she released a new series that I'm OBSESSED with. Go get those books now to get ready for number 3. We also talk our obsession with Malice D...

Apparently your girl is now on the list of places to go when you have a new baseball book! I was so happy that Dennis Gaub reached out to me to chat about his newest book. The story of an pitcher from Montana who ended up part of the group that changed baseball free agency forever. Before we even got to talking baseball we talked about orgins of names and how Montana became home to some German/Rus...

Bonjour! Come meet friend and fellow Level Best Book author Elle Jauffret! We talk about a bunch of things, including how to not limit yourself when writing, benefits of a military lifestyle, food, and even a little cosplay! Find Elle https://ellejauffret.com/ Plus, if you're in Southern California go to her book launch on Dec 6 at Mysterious Galaxy! Plus, my weekly reminder to Diet Coke that I'm...

Welcome back to thriller writer Nannette Potter! The second book in her "Blade" Broussard series is out now. We talk research, writing a thriller, travel, and how to caputre the essence of a closed society (North Korea). A little bit of everything! Check out the amazing animated book cover on her website:   https://www.nannettepotter.com/ Plus, my episodic reminder to Diet Coke to sponsor me, the...

Well, the Red Sox season ended, but hockey season has started with bang! Join me as I discuss Opera, theatre, and the politics of a backstage life with author Erica Miner. So much good information in this discussion. Also, things I'm obsessed with...Diet Coke, my diet coke ghost shirt, 7th Inning Candles on Etsy, and the hopefully Mariners vs. Brewers WS! Find Erica:   https://www.ericaminer.com/...

Meet the newest cozy myster writer on the block! Adrian Andover's debut cozy, WHISKEY BUSINESS, is out this month. We talk the coziness of it all, family, community, author routines, and even give the people a Pennsylvania geography lesson. Plus, book recommendations, things I'm obsessed with, and some good natured Pirates/Red Sox smack talk (not really). Find Adrian:   https://www.adrianandover.c...

Welcome local author and Plymouth resident Denise Latham to the podcast! So many great tips on writing while busy and how she keeps her ideas fresh! Also, my obsession with Diet Coke, the Red Sox, and historical mysteries! Find Denise: https://www.deniselatham.com/ Find me! www.nicoleasselinwriter.com https://bsky.app/profile/nicoleasselin.bsky.social www.instagram.com/nanazlyn https://www.tiktok....

Join me as I chat with local celebrity Michael Carini about his YA adult series featuring historical objects. If you like National Treasure and Indiana Jones this series is for you! Book two is coming, but you can pick up book one now! Also, he shows some super cool baseball cards from his collection and we talk presidential history! Also, things I'm obsessed with including my new hat from BeltaPr...

Welcome back to favorite Elise Hart Kipness! Her Kate Green series is one of my favorites, and the newest one is set to be released Aug 19, set in the dramatic world of US Open Tennis! We talk about everything from thriller writing, found writing family, book tours, and even labradoodles. Also, her first two books are on KU right now! Also, things I'm obsesssed with including the Tour de France, B...

Returning guest Sharon Healy-Yang discusses re-releasing her series, editing old stories, the freedom of writing with age, and of course the love of witty, snappy dialogue! Plus, things I'm obsessed with. Mainly my Svaha.com dresses. Always. Come for the book recommendations, stay for the publishing advice! (With special shout outs to Jenny Adams and Kelly Oliver). Find Sharon: https://sharonhealy...

I love talking baseball. I love talking with people who love talking baseball. John and Leroy from "The Baseball Book Club" podcast are two such individuals. A wide-ranging discussion that includes ownership woes, rivalries, nostalgia, history, and baseball cards. Hot takes allowed, but cold takes are also allowed. Find their podcast here: The Baseball Book Club Podcast Facebook:  The Baseball Boo...