Storied Account with Jen Jumba

Winner of Ohio’s Great Reads from Great Places, The Musical Mozinskis by Susan Petrone is the journey of a talented musical family from Cleveland to California, their rise to fame, and the complexities of growing up in the spotlight. Susan shares the inspiration behind the story, character insights, and the cultural nostalgia that brings the book to life. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code:...

Carter Wilson is the bestselling writer of psychological thrillers and his latest is When They Find Me. A woman and her daughter escape to a small quiet town and find themselves subject to a home invasion which goes wrong. Carter talks about creating tension as he captures family loyalty, revenge and trauma from multiple points of view and truly gets inside the head of his characters. Music licens...

Bestselling suspense author Debra Webb talks about The Woman I've Become , her new thriller which is told over a tense weekend at a lake house where past and present collide. Debra talks about how she creates this story and why setting and character are important. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: X8K07E8GOXAIJIVP

Savage Lake is the latest book by Nick Medina. It is a genre mash up with an overarching theme of horror, which has become his signature. There is a family drama and mystery alongside Native American folklore and social issues. Nick is masterful with weaving all of these elements together through complex characters and story. It all starts with a trip to a cabin in the woods and from there, hang o...

National Book Award winner, Huda Fahmy, talks about her latest graphic novel, Huda F Would Love You? Inspired by her own experience growing up, Huda captures this often awkward age with humor and full of universal lessons. Huda Fahmy is a talent not just with illustrations and words but emotions that will resonate with many readers. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: S4C105LAXHPWENND

Michelle Cullen has spent her career working as an anthropologist and traveling the world to help countries rebuild after wars.  She now uses her life experience to create mysteries which feature an unlikely duo with Harry, a recently retired anthropologist and a Gen Z former ICU nurse.  Michelle talks about the second book in the series, A Field Guide to Death and Deceit.   Her work has been desc...

Laurie Notaro talks about her latest book, I've Got a New Complaint: On Aging Disgracefully and Other Small Disasters which is a collection of essays. As you can imagine from the title, it is a hilarious perspective on aging, family, and everyday life. Laurie shares how humor can turn life's awkward moments into shared laughter and connection. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: MZC59H6DU3OG...

Critically acclaimed international espionage writer, Yasmin Angoe, is back with a new book, T he Ferryman's Daughter . What if you were the daughter of a serial killer, your father disappeared years ago and there are now copycat murders? Yasmin shares her insight into creating this character and the questions she wanted to explore in the course of writing this propulsive story. Music licensed thro...

Kate DiCamillo is a beloved storyteller of children's stories and just these as loved just as much by adults. Kate is one of seven writers to have won the Newberry Award twice and in this episode we talk about the 20th anniversary of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane . Listen to Kate share her thoughtful approach to writing and how her eight year old self shows up in each of her books. Kate...

Joanne Harris has written multiple novels, novellas, game scripts, librettis and her latest novel is Sleepers in the Snow.  No matter its form, Joanne has the ability to connect with readers and have the story settle in your head and heart.  Hear Joanne talk about how she combines themes of grief, memory, folklore and subtle supernatural all set amidst a house in the Yorkshire landscape.   Music l...

Debut writer, Evan Kidwell, talks about his book, Timeaous Spark and the Luck Curse. This is a fantasy story about first year students, magical powers, hierarchy and finding your place in the world. There is great world building with a cast of characters and trials that are determined to reveal who belongs and who doesn't. There are scenes that will tug at your heartstrings and scenes that will ma...

Isaac Grijalva shares his journey from aspiring writer to published author, discussing his debut novel Six and a Half Days in the City . This is a story in which the main character, Cameron, travels to New York City to visit his friends from high school. While seeing the sights, sharing fabulous meals and meeting new people, Cameron has the opportunity to reflect on his life and the next step in h...

The Great Game is the latest novel by Arvind Ethan David who has a award winning career in multiple forms of storytelling from graphic novels to Broadway to television and film. The Great Game is a story that begins with an epigraph by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, "You must not make the criminal a hero." Then begins the story set in London in 1905 which a mystery, action, and adventure story which also...

Stacy Wilder shares her journey from a career in accounting to becoming a mystery author, the inspiration behind her Liz Adams series, and her writing process. She talks about the latest in the series, The Camping Conundrum . Discover how Stacy's love for travel, dogs, and community influence her storytelling and character development. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: SPJO59FNYNPJQ8JC

We Would Never Tell is the latest book by Anne-Sophie Johanneau whose email tagliine is "Author of glitzy thrillers with chaotic characters," and perfectly captures this story. This is a mystery that gives you a backstage pass to the Cannes Film Festival which includes couture, red carpets, parties galore, bad decisions and a missing diamond necklace. What happens when three women find themselves...

Some stories stay with you long after the last page—and As I Dream of You is one of them. Multiple award-winning illustrator LeUyen Pham shares how she brought a tender, genre-bending graphic novel to life, weaving love, grief, dreams, and mythology into something unforgettable. Uyen does an amazing job of capturing emotion and worlds and talks about how she worked with writer, Jennifer Lee to col...

Charlotte Lillie Balogh is the author of Capsized - and a screenwriter, comic book writer, coach, and lifelong rower. Charlotte started writing books at 16, but this one came from something even closer to home: the sport she grew up with...rowing. Charlotte talks about her experience as a rower and closely captures what it feels like to be in an eight with the set of the boat, oar, water, sounds a...

Award-winning writer, K.L. Murphy talks about her latest book, The Perfect Girls which just published on Tuesday.  It is the third in the beloved Detective Callie Forde series, which has her and her partner at the scene of a crime and are soon snowed in.  Learn about K.L.'s thoughtful approach to show the different perspectives of social media's impact on a group of friends who have gathered for a...

Bestselling author Kieran Scott talks about her latest novel, The Getaway, and shares the intricacies of friendships and tests those bonds when mysterious letters appear on their bedroom pillows during an annual weekend getaway with friends. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: 7VS1AL3CBALJNAJP

International bestselling author, Tess Gerritsen, talks about her latest book, The Shadow Friends , which just published this week. This is the third in the Martini Club series with a beloved cast of characters. Tess talks about her remarkable career, characters, and the themes in her latest novel. Discover insights into espionage, retirement, and the art of storytelling that keeps her readers hoo...

Bestselling, award-winning (including an Emmy) author J.T. Ellison talks with me about her latest book, You Know Why . She provides insight into her writing process, how she develops characters , and the importance of research in crafting compelling thrillers. It's J.T. at her best and getting to know her and her craft will compel you all to read this book and her others.

Bestselling author April Henry discusses her latest novel, In the Blood, exploring themes of DNA, family secrets, and the nature versus nurture debate. She shares her research process, insights into criminal psychology, and how her personal experiences influence her storytelling. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: H05EZMLPKHXBYX1X

Bestselling writer, Brianna Labuskes, about her new thriller Clean Slate , exploring themes of community, trauma, and human behavior through the lens of a crime scene cleaner. Discover how Brianna crafts her characters and themes to create compelling mysteries that delve into the human psyche. If you love twisty thrillers with heart, sharp banter, and big themes, this one’s for you. Music licensed...

Bestselling writer, Jessica Strasser, discusses her latest novel The Quitters Club, exploring themes of change, friendship, and the courage to pivot in life. She shares insights on how writing what she wants to know- starts from a question and has her characters try to answer it. Jessica talks about the importance of support systems and the universal challenge of knowing when to quit. Music licens...

Bestselling writer, Rachel Howzell Hall, introduced us to Sunny Rush LAPD detective with a perfect record, until she's fired and relocates to Haven as a PI. Sunny's story continues in Mist and Malice which is as atmospheric as the secrets hidden in this small town. Rachel talks about her inspiration for this character, her thoughtful approach to storytelling and how her books are described as "coz...