Books & Martinis Podcast

In this deeply moving episode, we celebrate the life, legacy, and art of Sierra Shuck-Sparer through her remarkable book Lady Sunflower: Stories, Songs, and Poems from the Desk of Kill. Gertrude. Sierra’s mom joins us to share personal insights and the heart behind Sierra’s creative journey — from the moment of her diagnosis with high-risk medulloblastoma to the powerful work she left behind befor...

We’re kicking off 2026 with intention, alignment, and abundance in this podcast episode featuring Judy Balloff, author of 365 Days of Abundance. ✨ In this inspiring conversation, Judy shares practical wisdom and soulful insight on how to cultivate abundance daily, reframe mindset, and consciously step into a more expansive, fulfilled life, one day at a time. We talk about manifestation, gratitude...

We’re kicking off our January Book Club with our next read: Dan Brown’s newest novel, The Secret of Secrets, marking his fourth book in the DaVinci Code series—and we could not be more excited. In this episode, we share why this pick feels like the perfect way to start the year and what makes Dan Brown’s return so anticipated. We talk about our history with his books, what we love about his signat...

In this captivating episode, we talk with author Elise Helliwell about her novel Within the Space of a Second—a genre-blending story that weaves time travel, love, and human connection across fractured timelines. At its core, the book asks: What happens to love when time refuses to move in a straight line? Elise explores relationships that stretch across moments, realities, and alternate paths, wh...

We are team Wyvern! Today we’re talking with romance author A.C. Wonderland about her Wyvern Hockey series, where elite athletes, found family, and fierce chemistry collide. In this episode, we dive into the inspiration behind the series, what drew her to hockey romance, and how she builds emotionally layered characters who feel real on and off the ice. We talk tropes, tension, and why sports roma...

Ruby. Freaking. Dixon. Yes, the Spur Queen, creator of Ice Planet Barbarians, and the best selling author of alien romance, joined us on Books & Martinis and she delivered a masterclass while keeping it real. In this episode, Ruby drops essential writing advice, fantasy romance tips, and behind-the-scenes gems about creating viral sci-fi romance that shook BookTok, BookTube, and pretty much the en...

Fredrik Backman's 'My Friends' is our December 2025 Book Club pick! There are so many great reviews about this book we had to end the year with this NY Times best seller! About My Friends: Four teenagers whose friendship creates a bond so powerful that it changes a complete stranger’s life twenty-five years later. Most people don’t even notice them—three tiny figures sitting at the end of a long p...

We had a great time interviewing author Brian Hester about the book he co-authored with Barbara Beam, She Talks to Fish! More than just a couple of martinis and a bourbon -- we covered everything from how his role as a teacher influenced this story to what it takes to be a writer. About She Talks to Fish: SHE TALKS TO FISH is a story about a young lady navigating her life’s path that centers aroun...

We love a good murder mystery, and Elle Andrews Patt delivers in Ghost, a modern southern gothic meets sleuthing procedural novel. About Ghost: Yesterday, her BFF didn’t believe her. She’d give anything for it to be yesterday again. When archivist Andrea Kelley scores a sweet rental in Charleston, WV, she discovers it’s already occupied. But the early rising, bacon-loving ghost of six-year-old Bil...

Geek out with us as we dive into high fantasy world building with author John Mangold, as we discuss The Sorcerer's Inception and the Scrolls of Azbek! About The Sorcerer's Inception: When a demon assaults her hunting party, Master Dominic assigns Maluem her founding quest with his dying breath. The Sorcerer’s Inception, it is a mission every Acolyte dreams of. Yet for Maluem it brings only sorrow...

November's Books Club pick is out of this world! We're reading Atmosphere, by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Join us all month long and let us know how many martinis was it worth! Subscribe to our newsletter: https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/7225e515-9c79-4ee8-ae30-694af8dfe5e5?email={{email}}

Would you leave Earth to follow a signal in to deep space? Author Christopher Loric, a former US Navy Lieutenant, uses his 28 yrs in the military to craft an epic science fiction thriller, SESG Explorer, challenging our current concepts of Space Force and contact with extraterrestrial life. About SESG Explorer: SESG Explorer is man’s first trip out of our solar system. The United States come acros...

Are you ready for a heart-pumping, page-turning journey of love, loss, and suspense? Look no further than S.R. Fabrico’s latest masterpiece, filled with gripping twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Meet Lizzie Levine, the unstoppable female executive at a top New York City marketing firm. Driven by the tragic loss of her parents, Lizzie refuses to let anything stand in h...

Chris is officially our most interviewed author on our podcast! Snow Ordinary Love, set in Oregon, features Mona, an Orc, and her ex-boyfriend, Joel, in a fun, sexy, monster romance, where they're stuck in a cabin together and forced to share one bed! To purchase visit www.chriswaltersauthor.com

It's murder she wrote... quite literally as author E.L. Reed talks about her Memories of Murder series based on the real life stories of infamous female serial killers. We had so much fun learning about her inspiration, the process and the themes behind each story. Listen for the historical fiction stay for the grimy details! Book 1 - Hatchet One determined detective. One thorough medical examiner...

We had a blast with Authors Max & Monroe! Listen to hear about their most recent releases, popular books they've penned and a ton of author advice. They went from writing their own books as indie authors to writing collaboratively as traditionally published authors! Check out their recent books: https://www.authormaxmonroe.com/books What I Should Have Said When I Should Have Stayed **Leave Before...

Escape with us into a whole new world, with Eve's Blessing, author JJ Park and her poetic writing! A story of shared grief and trepidatious love, watch MCs, Eve & Safir make their own purpose in their respective, unforgiving worlds despite having the worst things in common. About Eve's Blessing: Eve seeks a life where she isn’t fighting every second to provide for herself and her brother, Nicky. R...

We're so ready for the fall! We've waited all summer to bring back TBR. Listen to find out what we're reading, or trying to read lol.

Amy had one flex after another. As a narrator and actor, Amy aka Lucy, has done it all. Even narrating for Verity!

We can't believe we are in the "ber" months! And already talking about September Book Club! Listen to find out what book we're featuring this month for our book clubbers.

We love a good thriller filled with twists and turns! We interviewed author, Alise Pulliam, about her psychological thriller, Triggered Aggression and her entire writing process. Find out who she based her characters on, her inspiration and advice she has for indie writers. About Triggered Aggression: Two friends discover that leaving behind buried childhood demons isn't as easy as it sounds. Joel...

have you ever wondered what it took to be a narrator for books or a voice actor? Rachel Hirsch, aka Rose Dioro, shares tips and insight into her journey! Join us for the fun, stay for the tongue twisters. About Rachel: A life-long actor and musician, and a voice-over artist for more than 15 years, Rachel launched her now award winning audiobook career after training with renowned director Paul Ala...

Thirteen years of fear. Thirteen years of running. Thirteen years of surviving. Thirteen years of loneliness. The goosebumps! We are thrilled to speak with D. Raven about her book, Thirteen Years, the first in the Freedom Series! About Thirteen Years: Rebecca Wareman is a single mother by choice. She’s spent the last thirteen years of her life, living solely for her daughter. But what happens if s...

Taking a break from thrillers and dramas for a hot romantasy, Rose in Chains by Julie Soto is our August Book Club pick!

READ AND FIND OUT! #RAFO And get ready for an epic romantasy, Starheart, by Lana B. Knight. Priya fanned out real hard but the book was that good. About Starheart: In the wake of a tragic accident that claimed her memory and her mother's life when she was just fourteen, Stella Aresun is haunted by a past shrouded in secrecy. Her attempts to recall the events are met with debilitating headaches and...