Books & Martinis Podcast

Ever wonder what really happens before a book launches? In this episode, Mercy and I pull back the curtain on everything that's been happening behind the scenes. We chat about creating my amazing reader community, Starship LitCrew, what a street team actually does, and why having passionate readers in your corner can make such a difference. We also dive into the exciting (and sometimes overwhelmin...

We're so excited to welcome Annie Cathryn back to the Books & Martinis Podcast! 🎉 It always feels like catching up with an old friend, and this conversation is one you won't want to miss. Annie joins us to celebrate her heartfelt new novel, Eat the Cake, a moving story about grief, healing, second chances, and finding joy again, set against the beautiful backdrop of Florence, Italy. We dive into...

One of our favorite things about hosting Books & Martinis is getting to sit down with authors and talk about the stories behind the stories. This week, we had the pleasure of chatting with Rebecca Fallon about Family Drama, a novel that explores the messy, complicated, and deeply human relationships that make families what they are. About Family Drama: In New England, Susan Bliss is a young mother...

What does it really take to build a successful career as a traditionally published author? In this episode of Books & Martinis Podcast, we sit down with bestselling author Megan Chance to discuss her haunting novel, Vermilion Sea, and the realities of navigating the traditional publishing world. Megan shares invaluable insights from her publishing journey, including what aspiring authors should kn...

What happens when heartbreak becomes the beginning of a new story? In this episode of Books & Martinis, we're joined by author Emma Simmerman to discuss her moving novel, Here Lie All the Boys Who Broke My Heart. We dive into the inspiration behind the book, the emotional journey of writing about love and loss, and the experiences that shape us long after relationships literally end. Emma shares i...

Confession: one of our favorite parts of doing the Books & Martinis Podcast is getting to sit down with authors and talk about the stories behind the stories. This June, we're hanging out with our Author Spotlight, Maya-Gawonii Shabazz-Saleh, featuring her debut novel, My Roommate is Trying to Kill Me & our Book Club pick, Theo of Golden. June Author Spotlight: My Roommate Is Trying To Kill Me To...

This month on Books & Martinis, we’re turning up the paranoia, tension and the dark humor with our June Spotlight Author, Maya-Gawonii Shabazz-Saleh. We sat down with Maya to celebrate the launch of her wildly addictive debut novel, My Roommate Is Trying to Kill Me, a razor-sharp horror romance packed with suspense and the kind of chemistry that kept Priya up past her bedtime! From chaotic roommat...

Step into a world of magic, danger, romance, and destiny with author Sloane Noir on this unforgettable episode of Books & Martinis! Broadcasting all the way from beautiful South Africa, Sloane joins us to talk about her captivating Mystical Enchantment series, the inspiration behind her fantasy world, powerful female characters, supernatural forces, dark secrets, and the creative journey of bringi...

This week on Books & Martinis, we’re diving headfirst into the wild, addictive world of fantasy romance with special guest Demi Winters. From dangerous love interests and emotionally wrecking scenes to world-building that pulls readers completely under its spell, this episode is packed with laughter, bookish chaos, and behind-the-scenes author insight. We talk writing, fantasy fandoms, morally gra...

This month’s Book Club is bringing the heat—and a little chaos. We’re diving into the high-stakes courtroom drama of Judge Stone by Viola Davis & James Patterson, a gripping story packed with power, secrets, and impossible choices. Then we switch gears into deliciously dark territory with RIP, LOL by Khaya Fraites, where humor meets horror in a way that’ll have you side-eyeing everyone. Expect bol...

In this lively and heartfelt episode of Books & Martinis, we sit down with our April Author Spotlight, Khaya Fraites, to celebrate her bold and unforgettable debut novel, RIP, LOL. Khaya takes us behind the scenes of her writing journey, sharing the inspiration, humor, and emotional layers that bring this unique story to life. We dive into the themes of identity, grief, and self-discovery—balanced...

In this episode of Books & Martinis, we sit down with author and adventurer Joshua Smalley to talk about his incredible book Tales of the Traveling Teacher. From living in Ethiopia to embarking on unforgettable journeys across the globe, Joshua shares the real-life experiences that shaped his story, including a moment that sounds straight out of a novel: finding a snow leopard! We dive into the in...

🎙️✨ From behind-the-scenes audiobook magic to what it takes to bring characters to life, Carly gave us a front-row seat into the world of voice acting. We also dove into The Correspondent, the Audie Award–winning audiobook she helped bring to life as part of an incredible ensemble cast. And guess what? She’s joining our April Book Club to chat all about it with us! If you’ve ever wondered how sto...

In this episode of Books & Martinis, we welcome back fan-favorite author Lana B. Knight for her second visit and trust us, it gets even better. We dive into her highly anticipated sequel Nightwither (Book 2), dropping April 14th, and let’s just say… holding back spoilers was a full-body workout. From dark twists to addictive storytelling, Lana gives us just enough to leave you desperate for more,...

April is STACKED and we are so ready for it 🚀📚 In this episode, we’re diving into our April Book Club picks—The Correspondent and Dear Debbie—two reads we cannot wait to obsess over with you. Expect thoughts, vibes, and all the reasons you’ll want to add these to your TBR immediately. We’re also giving you a full sneak peek at our April podcast lineup featuring an incredible group of authors: La...

This week on Books & Martinis, we’re joined by editor extraordinaire Azaria Waldeck of The Amethyst Quill Editing Services. And trust us, you’re going to want to take notes. ✨ From breaking down what editors actually look for to sharing practical tips that can instantly level up your manuscript, Azaria gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the editing process every writer needs. We also get person...

This week on Books & Martinis, we’re diving into our ever-growing TBR—aka the books we swear we’re getting to soon 👀✨ From buzzy new releases to hidden gems, most of the titles on our list are written by incredible authors we’ll be interviewing on the show (yes, we’re screaming too). We’re also shining a light on our Author Spotlight Program, where we feature and celebrate amazing writers all mo...

What happens when retirement isn’t quiet… but chaotic? 👀 In this episode, we sit down with author Leah Orr to talk about her sharp and wildly entertaining novel The Retirees. From complicated friendships to the secrets people carry long after their careers end, we dive into the humor, heart, and very real drama of life after “the plan.” If you love smart character stories, juicy conversations abo...

This month on Books & Martinis, we dove into two powerful, haunting, and deeply human reads: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore and The Retirees by Leah Orr. First, we unpacked The God of the Woods—a gripping literary mystery set against the eerie backdrop of a summer camp where a young girl disappears, echoing a tragedy from years before. We talked about generational trauma, privilege, power, and...

In this heartfelt and insightful episode, we sit down with debut author Darbie Hamilton to discuss her powerful novel, The Cost of the Coat, a story layered with emotional depth, resilience, and the quiet truths we carry. Darbie opens up about the inspiration behind her book, the meaning woven into its title, and the personal experiences that shaped her storytelling. We explore the themes at the h...

In this magical episode of Books & Martinis, we sit down with fantasy romance author Trinity Matthews to talk all things Between Fae & Flames — a sizzling blend of fae magic, forbidden love, deadly secrets, and slow-burn tension that will have you flipping pages way past midnight. We dive into Trinity’s inspiration behind the story, how she built her fae world, what makes her characters morally gr...

✨ We’re back with fantasy romance author Tessonja Odette to talk about her new release, Lies That Summon the Night! In this fun and candid interview, she shares what inspired the story, how she builds her dark romantasy worlds, and gives us an update on her publishing journey. Plus — tons of writing advice for aspiring authors. If you love fantasy romance, author interviews, and behind-the-scenes...

What would you forgive… and what would destroy you forever? This month’s book club explores My Husband’s Wife and Reminders of Him—stories of scandal, loss, second chances, and love that refuses to die. Come for the books. Stay for the feelings. 👀💔

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...

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...