Sit. Stay. Read.

When Aspen ski patroller Greta Westerlind goes out on a routine training day with her avalanche dog, Floyd, the last thing she expects is for her K-9 to bring her a human hand. Even worse, she learns the hand belongs to her missing friend, Evie. The discovery launches an investigation that reveals the darker side to this beautiful Colorado ski town. Can Greta and Floyd discover the truth behind wh...

Reece McCarthen has escaped her past. Or so she thought. When Reece receives a message that her father has left his sanctuary full of magical creatures to her, she’s forced to return home. Now Reece must face her ex, Laken Augustus, a part-time assassin, along with the fire-spitting chickens that escaped on her watch and set her hometown on fire. Reece soon learns that her father not only left her...

When Lauren Hollander has two men in ski masks with guns try to kidnap her, she doesn’t know if they are after the jewelry in her store or something else. She only knows that if an earthquake hadn’t happened that stopped the abduction, she could be dead. She also has a handsome man, Zach, and his K-9 search and rescue dog, Ranger, to thank for saving her by finding her in the debris after the trem...

When K-9 handler Cory Pratt is arm-twisted into giving a demonstration at a local elementary school, he thinks the hardest part will be dealing with the talkative kid in the front row. But after the presentation, his two human remains detection dogs alert on a wall in a newly remodeled section of the school. Cory’s heart sinks. His dogs, Alice and Rex, are never wrong. The gruesome discovery leads...

A missing feline is at the center of the latest entertaining mystery, Cat on a Hot Tin Woof , in the Chet and Bernie series. Written by Peter Abrahams as Spencer Quinn, the story continues as canine narrator Chet realizes the next case he and his owner Bernie must solve is none other than a missing cat named Miss Kitty. Miss Kitty isn’t just an ordinary cat; she’s become an internet sensation. Her...

How well do you know your childhood friends? Especially 16 years after graduation? Lexi has always wanted children, but is unable to carry a pregnancy. So, when Mara, one of her best friends from high school, comes back into her life and offers to be a surrogate, Lexi is thrilled. But when Mara disappears a few days before the due date, Lexi discovers Mara has many deadly secrets. Can she find her...

Sharee Stover, fellow dog lover and Harlequin author, joins me for a fun episode to talk about her latest release, Guarding The Child Witness , and the inspiration behind her K-9 hero, Remy. The story opens with gripping suspense as Iowa State Trooper Jaysa Camerota and Remy witness a horrific crash—but something isn’t right. With a traumatized, nonverbal child as the only witness, Jaysa must team...

In this episode, I’m joined by award-winning author Natalie Keller Reinert to discuss her latest novel, The Jump . A lifelong horse lover and former working student, Natalie shares how her experiences shaped her main character, Brooke, a young three-day eventer with dreams of competing at the highest levels. Brooke receives the opportunity of a lifetime—working with an Olympic trainer. But she soo...

Today I’m honored to be joined by Sandra Brown. Sandra is a #1 NY Times bestselling author whose books are known for their page-turning suspense and romance. We dive into her newest release, Bloodlust , the inspiration behind her gripping characters, and how she masterfully builds tension and conflict. Sandra shares insights on storytelling and her USO experiences. Plus, we had fun discussing hors...

In this episode, I’m delighted to be joined by Jeannée Sacken, author of the novel The Women Who Stand Between . Jeannée shares the powerful inspiration behind this beautifully written story, exploring themes of courage, compassion, and the important role that animals and photography play. Be sure to connect with Jeannée online to see her stunning photography and learn more about her work. This is...

I’m thrilled to welcome award-winning mystery author Sandra Balzo to the show! Sandra’s latest release, Poison and Pooches, kicks off a brand-new cozy mystery series full of small-town secrets, sharp humor, and wonderful four-legged characters. We talk about pet sitting as inspiration, discovering a body under the floorboards, and how real-life dogs influence fictional ones. Sandra also shares ins...

I’m thrilled to welcome Patricia McConnell to the podcast. While she’s world-renowned for her work in animal behavior, today we’re talking about her debut mystery, Away to Me . We dive into sheepdog trials, memorable human and animal characters, and how her past as an animal behaviorist shapes the story. Patricia also shares the inspiration behind Maddie McGowan, her connection with Cat Warren (au...

Today I’m thrilled to welcome award-winning mystery author and fellow dog lover C.B. Wilson to the show. C.B. (Cheryl) chats about her latest release, The Fire Diamond , the launch of the Gem Hunter Mysteries—where trained dogs sniff out diamonds. We dive into her background as a gemologist, her beloved Barkview Mysteries (each featuring a different dog breed), and why dogs often steal the spotlig...

Today I’m thrilled to welcome Ashley Bennett, author of Muscles and Monsters , the charming and spicy first book in the Leviathan Fitness series. We talk monster romance for the curious, what makes Tegan and Atlas such a perfect (and unexpected) match, and how monsters open the door to deeper emotion, danger, and tenderness. Ashley also shares how the story began during COVID, her favorite monster...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by bestselling author Neil Plakcy, whose books span mysteries, romance, and adventure—but today we’re diving into something extra special. We’re talking about Neil’s heart-warming Smiling Dog Café novellas where healing, kindness, and second chances are always on the menu. We chat about magical pups (including one very good dog named Cooper), the inspiration behind t...

In this episode of Sit. Stay. Read. , I’m joined by author Sharon Marchisello, creator of the DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Cozy Mystery series. We chatted about her Claymore-finalist novel Trap, Neuter, Die, how real-life rescue work inspired her sleuth, and why Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Return (TNVR) plays such a powerful role in the story. Sharon also shared how her life experiences shape her writin...

USA Today best-selling author Letizia Lorini joins the podcast to talk about her latest release. A Killer Kind of Romance is a clever, witty genre crossover packed with romance, mystery, small-town secrets and Sherlock—the fun and mischievous feline. With a slow-burn romance and the lingering question of “What if the one who got away might be a serial killer?” , this story keeps readers guessing,...

Havoc: Trouble on the Trail is a thrilling page-turner. For this week’s episode, author Cam Torrens shares how his background in the military and Colorado search and rescue led to the story idea. When a Black Hawk helicopter goes down in the unforgiving Colorado backcountry, Deputy Tyler Zahn is thrust into a desperate search for survivors. But the mission quickly turns deadly. The stakes skyrocke...

Can you ever truly escape your past—or does it always find a way to haunt you? Author Elena Taylor joins me to discuss her chilling new thriller, The Haunting of Emily Grace . Emily Grace is desperate for a fresh start and even more desperate for a job. So when locals warn her away from the isolated house and the land she’s been hired to care for, she ignores them. But as the days stretch on, unea...

Who Can You Really Trust? You’re former teacher? Maybe. Maybe not. In Mrs. Oliver’s Twist , Quinn McFarland is thrilled that so many of her dreams have come true. She’s been accepted into medical school, married the love of her life and has adopted some sweet pups that bring joy to her every day. But then a sinister twist happens while working at her family’s funeral home. Quinn realizes after see...

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend, editor and The Writer’s Dossier blog creator, Jeff Circle to discuss Myopic Duplicity . Myopic Duplicity is a crime fiction anthology that explores moral gray areas and the deadly choices people make under pressure. We focus on They Eat Their Own , a chilling story set in an exotic animal sanctuary where survival of the fittest and betrayal collide. Jeff s...

It’s another paw-liday special! I’m joined by Paula Munier, USA Today bestselling author of the Mercy Carr Mysteries, to talk about her holiday thriller The Snow Lies Deep . When Northshire’s mayor—dressed as Santa—turns up murdered after the town’s Solstice celebration, Mercy Carr, Troy Warner, and their K-9 partners, Elvis and Susie Bear, must hunt down the Yuletide Killer before another promine...

Author and K-9 handler, Sheri Lewis Wohl, joins me this week to talk Search & Rescue (SAR) and writing. Sheri is the author of paranormal and supernatural novels including Necromantia, Twisted Screams (finalist for the 2017 Golden Crown Literary Award), and Twisted Whispers (winner of the 2016 Golden Crown Literary Award for Paranormal/Horror). Her stories blend romance, mystery, and chilling...

Need a fun holiday read? Look no further than David Rosenfelt’s AND TO ALL A GOOD BITE, Book #32 in the Andy Carpenter series. When Andy receives a phone call around Christmas time that a young man he knows, Jeff Wheeler, has been accused of murder, he realizes his football games and holiday relaxation will have to wait. Before his homicide charge, Jeff was best known for rescuing a Golden Retriev...

When K-9 Search and Rescue handler Jessica Cooper learns of a cold case involving a missing child, she knows she must help. With her K-9 Luke and six-month-old son in tow, Jessica sets out to solve the case. Is there a chance the child could still be alive? And if so, can they bring him home? Meanwhile, Jessica’s stepdaughter Amanda is working on healing from her own trauma. Amanda’s goal is to es...