True Crime and a Madam with Allison Mann, Episode #37

Books and Brews: the place where beer and literature meet

Allison Mann writes true crime. Her newest book is the story of Linda, leading a double life as mother and madam.

Allison Mann is an author of true crime, publisher, and paralegal. After graduating from Winona State University in 2001, Allison began a nearly twenty-year career as a paralegal in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. After co-authoring her first book, The Girls Are Gone, Allison found her way to the publishing world. In 2020, Allison co-founded and is the CEO of Hadleigh House Publishing where she developed the Hadleigh House Unpacked imprint. Allison continues to reside in the Twin Cities with her family, enjoying life as a boy mom and all that comes along with it. When she’s not writing, Allison can be found getting lost in a bookstore or wandering the halls of a courthouse.

We talked about Linda’s second book, Fallen Woman, the true account of Linda May Spencer, and her double life as owner of a brothel in St. Paul, Minnesota, written when Linda’s daughter, Emily, approached Allison to ask her to write the story in order to talk about addiction, mental health, and recovery.
Allison Mann

Allison’s Readings:

  • Introduction to Fallen Woman – 11:21
  • Chapter 15, Fallen Woman – 23:37
  • Author’s Note, Fallen Woman – 39:00

Michael’s Beer Pairings:

Interview Highlights:

  • Why did Linda and Emily want to tell about Linda’s life as a madam? – 16:50
  • How Linda hid her brothels from her daughters for years – 33:40
  • How did Linda end up running a brothel? – 34:32
  • Childhood trauma and free will in our choices – 45:37
  • The missing Ruki sisters – 50:10

COMING NEXT MONTH:

Linda Wisnieski, fiction, time travel

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

Gabriel’s Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

If you liked this episode, you might also like these Books and Brews episodes:

HELP US GROW

If you enjoy our interviews or have benefited from them, we invite you to help us continue our work. It takes a great deal of time and money to produce Books and Brews. We’ve been doing interviews since January 2017 as a free service to authors. We continue to promote those authors on our social media for years after their interviews.

  • Subscribing, following, liking, commenting and sharing all help us to keep doing what we do.
  • A $5 tip helps us pay for our many expenses: Libsyn hosting, web hosting, Google meets, providing the drinks for the interview and the many hours of preparation and editing that go into each episode.
  • Patreon: patreon.com/BooksandBrewswithLauraVosika
  • Tip Jar: paypal.me/booksandbrewsMN
  • Books and Brews products:
    https://www.zazzle.com/store/books_an… (more to come)
  • Sponsor an episode to promote your product or service: contact us booksandbrewslive@gmail.com

Murder and a Mortician with Mystery Writer Marian McCarthy, with Episode #36

Mystery writer Marian McCarthy

Mystery writer Marian McCarthy is a novelist with a long career as a freelancer, corporate communications consultant, technical copywriter, columnist, ghostwriter, editor, and writing teacher.

Murder and the Mortician is the first in the Last Responder mystery series, featuring psychic mortician Perrie Spock. When she discovers the body of a young woman on the driveway of her funeral home, Perrie begins to hear stories only the dead can tell. It’s “The Medium” meets “Six Feet Under.”
marionmccarthy.com

Marian’s Readings:

  • Murder and the Mortician: a body in the driveway! – 15:02
  • Murder and the Mortician: Aunt Azalea – 28:48
  • Beneath the Wild Blue – 41:55

Michael’s Beer Pairings:

Interview Highlights:

  • Suspension of disbelief – 19:22
  • Talking with morticians – 23:19
  • Does Perri know she can hear from the dead? – 33:23
  • Short story awards – 35:38
  • From Air Force child to writing the Air Force wife – 48:05
  • The Quintessential Air Force Wife – 50:18

COMING NEXT MONTH:

Allison Mann, true crime and publisher.

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

Gabriel’s Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

Scenes from our Interview with Mystery Writer Marian McCarthy

If you liked this episode, you might also like these Books and Brews episodes:

HELP US GROW

If you enjoy our interviews or have benefited from them, we invite you to help us continue our work. It takes a great deal of time and money to produce Books and Brews. We’ve been doing interviews since January 2017 as a free service to authors. We continue to promote those authors on our social media for years after their interviews.

  • Subscribing, following, liking, commenting and sharing all help us to keep doing what we do.
  • A $5 tip helps us pay for our many expenses: Libsyn hosting, web hosting, Google meets, providing the drinks for the interview and the many hours of preparation and editing that go into each episode.
  • Patreon: patreon.com/BooksandBrewswithLauraVosika
  • Tip Jar: paypal.me/booksandbrewsMN
  • Books and Brews products:
    https://www.zazzle.com/store/books_an… (more to come)
  • Sponsor an episode to promote your product or service: contact us booksandbrewslive@gmail.com

Episode #35: Ilona Parunakova

Ilona Parunakova is an author, diversity and inclusion speaker, and founder and CEO of IP Resilience Global and Identity Guru. She penned the best-selling books Opium of the Almond Tree, Am I Godfident, Unfiltered, Unleashed, Unapologetic, Royal Grand Berries, Success without Apology, and In the Front Line with Royal Warriors. Additionally, she has published the International Project book Godfident Voices and the children’s book Bella’s Butterfly. Parunakova is a TEDx international speaker who brings encouragement to audiences whenever she walks on stage.
Parunakova is a direct descendant of survivors of the Armenian Genocide during World War I. She herself survived wartime in the Republic of Georgia after the collapse of the USSR. Parunakova also endured ethnic discrimination, experiencing mocking and rejection by family members, and denied admission to universities.  Through it all, she has succeeded in transforming the obstacles of war, loss, and the struggle to fit in into her superpowers.
Parunakova’s Christian faith has been instrumental to her survival. It allowed her to see things from a positive perspective—that no matter what happens, God will always be in control of her destiny. She introduces herself unapologetically as God’s Masterpiece and puts God as a CEO of her life.
IP Resilience

Ilona’s Readings:

  • Not Naturally Ambitious – 10:50
  • Beauty of the Woman – 29:02
  • Identity and Society – 45:29

Michael’s Beer Pairings: 

Interview Highlights: 

  • Optimism after war, earthquake, cold, hunger, and discrimination – 20:22
  • Beauty pageant won and yet there are obstacles! – 30:41
  • What is inner beauty? – 35:35
  • A mother’s influence – 38:56
  • Identity and Legacy – 47:20
  • Keys to Success/Building a strong identity – 51:04

COMING NEXT MONTH: Marian McCarthy, novelist, memoirist, short story writer.

UPCOMING EVENTS: Gabriel’s Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

Bars to Bookstores with Romance Author Sadira Stone, Episode #34

Books and Brews: the place where beer and literature meet

Romance author Sadira Stone

Award-winning contemporary romance author Sadira Stone spins steamy, smoochy tales set in small businesses—a quirky bookstore, a neighborhood bar, a vintage boutique…

Her stories highlight found family, friendship, and the sizzling chemistry that pulls unlikely partners together. When she emerges from her writing cave in Las Vegas, Nevada (which she seldom does), she can be found in belly dance class, or strumming her ukulele, perhaps exploring the West with her charming husband, or cooking up a storm, and always gobbling all the romance books. Sadira’s promise to readers: a guaranteed HEA and no cliffhangers!
www.sadirastone.com  

Romance Author Sadira Stone’s Readings:

  • Christmas Re-Kindled, Bangers Tavern Romance #1 – 16:03
  • Opposites Ignite, Bangers Tavern Romance #2 – 32:42
  • Delicious Heat, Bangers Tavern Romance #3 – 41:22

Michael’s Beer Pairings:

Romance Autor Sadira Stone’s Interview Highlights:

  • From Cozy Mystery to Romance – 27:45
  • Most romantic date ever? – 29:09
  • On using pseudonyms – 37:44
  • How writers get started – 38:40
  • Do you believe in love at first sight? – 46:16
  • Influences and inspirations – 47:19
  • Best thing about writing/hitting the zone – 50:03
  • Advice to aspiring writers – 51:00

COMING NEXT MONTH:

Motivational speaker Ilona Parunakova.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Gabriel’s Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

If you liked this episode, you might also like these Books and Brews episodes:

HELP US GROW

If you enjoy our interviews or have benefited from them, we invite you to help us continue our work. It takes a great deal of time and money to produce Books and Brews. We’ve been doing interviews since January 2017 as a free service to authors. We continue to promote those authors on our social media for years after their interviews.

  • Subscribing, following, liking, commenting and sharing all help us to keep doing what we do.
  • A $5 tip helps us pay for our many expenses: Libsyn hosting, web hosting, Google meets, providing the drinks for the interview and the many hours of preparation and editing that go into each episode.
  • Patreon: patreon.com/BooksandBrewswithLauraVosika
  • Tip Jar: paypal.me/booksandbrewsMN
  • Books and Brews products:
    https://www.zazzle.com/store/books_an… (more to come)
  • Sponsor an episode to promote your product or service: contact us booksandbrewslive@gmail.com

Shannyn Schroeder Writes Thieves and Love, Episode #33

Books and Brews: the place where beer and literature meet

Shannyn Schroeder

Sloane Steele is the pen name for Shannyn Schroeder. As Sloane, her Counterfeit Capers series of heist romances are her love letter to the TV show Leverage.

As Shannyn, she writes contemporary romances about big families, both those created by blood and by choice. Her books are set in the city of Chicago because having grown up there and lived near the city her whole life, she writes what she knows.

Shannyn is a part-time English teacher, part-time curriculum editor, and full-time mom, even though her kids are pretty self-sufficient teens. In her down time, she bakes cookies, reads romance, and watches far too much TV.
shannynschroeder.com

Shannyn Schroeder’s Readings:

  • It Takes a Thief – 13:53
  • Catch Your Breath, O’ Leary Family #4 – 25:37
  • My Forever Plus-One, Daring Divorcees – 42:08

Michael’s Beer Pairings:

Interview Highlights:

  • The good thieves – 18:44
  • The name behind the beer (or What goes on in breweries?) – 23:52
  • Finding time to write with kids – 38:00
  • What is the attraction of reading about big families? – 32:14
  • Conflict in romance–when you’re with your best friend? – 48:24
  • Using two author names – 51:37

COMING NEXT MONTH:

Sadira Stone, Romance Author.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Gabriel’s Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

If you liked this episode, you might also like these Books and Brews episodes:

HELP US GROW

If you enjoy our interviews or have benefited from them, we invite you to help us continue our work. It takes a great deal of time and money to produce Books and Brews. We’ve been doing interviews since January 2017 as a free service to authors. We continue to promote those authors on our social media for years after their interviews.

  • Subscribing, following, liking, commenting and sharing all help us to keep doing what we do.
  • A $5 tip helps us pay for our many expenses: Libsyn hosting, web hosting, Google meets, providing the drinks for the interview and the many hours of preparation and editing that go into each episode.
  • Patreon: patreon.com/BooksandBrewswithLauraVosika
  • Tip Jar: paypal.me/booksandbrewsMN
  • Books and Brews products:
    https://www.zazzle.com/store/books_an… (more to come)
  • Sponsor an episode to promote your product or service: contact us booksandbrewslive@gmail.com

The Importance of Poetry with Christine Madline Ellsworth, Episode #32

Books and Brews: the place where beer and literature meet

Christine Madline Ellsworth talks about the importance of poetry.

Books and Brews meets this month with poet Christine Madline Ellsworth to talk about the importance of poetry.

Shas just released her first book of poetry: Here is a collection of poems tracing the arc of transition in a contemporary woman’s life. From childhood fascinations to adult issues such as domestic violence, marriage and divorce, Ellsworth shares many relatable experiences.

Ellsworth holds BA and MA degrees in English literature from Moorhead State University, Moorhead, MN and Marquette University, respectively. She is a member of the Jackpine Writer’s Bloc and her poetry has appeared in issues of The Talking Stick. Her work has also appeared in Moorhead State University’s Red Weather, and the South Dakota State Poetry Society’s Pasque Petals.

She is currently working toward certification as a certified applied poetry therapy facilitator through the International Federation of Biblio-Poetry Therapy (ifbt.org). Ellsworth was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and currently lives in Wyndmere, North Dakota with her Blue Heeler and two cats. This book is available in print and Kindle versions on Amazon. The author is available for book signings and poetry events both electronic and in person.
christinemadlineellsworth.com

Christine’s Readings:

  • What to Wear While Saving France – 13:01
  • Kitchen Table – 30:21
  • Rembrandt’s Light – 43:40

Michael’s Beer Pairings:

Interview Highlights:

  • How reading poetry can save the world – 16:34
  • Importance of poetry for mental development – 17:42
  • Transformation as the residual effect of poetry – 23:32
  • What makes a good poem? – 32:26
  • How to draw in a reader through poetry – 36:26
  • The fascinating life of Rembrandt – 47:58
  • Transformation of a person or the transformative power of art? – 50:54

COMING NEXT MONTH:

Shannyn Schroeder

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Gabriel’s Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

If you liked this episode, you might also like these Books and Brews episodes:

HELP US GROW

If you enjoy our interviews or have benefited from them, we invite you to help us continue our work. It takes a great deal of time and money to produce Books and Brews. We’ve been doing interviews since January 2017 as a free service to authors. We continue to promote those authors on our social media for years after their interviews.

  • Subscribing, following, liking, commenting and sharing all help us to keep doing what we do.
  • A $5 tip helps us pay for our many expenses: Libsyn hosting, web hosting, Google meets, providing the drinks for the interview and the many hours of preparation and editing that go into each episode.
  • Patreon: patreon.com/BooksandBrewswithLauraVosika
  • Tip Jar: paypal.me/booksandbrewsMN
  • Books and Brews products:
    https://www.zazzle.com/store/books_an… (more to come)
  • Sponsor an episode to promote your product or service: contact us booksandbrewslive@gmail.com

An American Kid in Saigon with Sandy Hanna, Episode #31

Sandy Hanna talks about her memoir, The Ignorance of Bliss: An American Kid in Saigon

Sandy Hanna is an award-winning author for her memoir “The Ignorance of Bliss: An American Kid in Saigon,” a true coming-of-age story about growing up in Vietnam in the early 60s. She current resides in Lambertville, New Jersey.

As a military BRAT (British Regiment Attached Transfer) her story reveals a turbulent time where politics and intrigue resided between plot and counterplot and where, as children, she and her siblings lived in the continuous present – perhaps the only way children can live.

Ms. Hanna graduated from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois with a BA in Interdisciplinary Programs in Science and Literature and University of Massachusetts with a MED in the Biology of Cognition. Her background is one of working with children and designing learning environment for museums, theme parks, and communities. However, she sees herself as a life-time storyteller and artist.
Sandyhanna.net

Sandy’s Readings:

  • Witnessing the Coup – 9:35
  • Baby Powder & Hershey Bars – 28:27
  • Brink’s Bomb – 43:44

Michael’s Beer Pairings:

Harvey Weissbanger Recipe

  • 1 oz. Galliano
  • 2 oz. Orange Juice
  • 6 oz. Weissbier

Fill a collins glass with ice. Add the Galliano and orange juice. Top with Weissbier. Garnish with orange peel.

Interview Highlights:

  • Did you take it for granted you survived a shooting spree? – 15:34
  • The Dragon Lady and Colonel Sam’s Expose – 19:12
  • Did your brother’s basketball start the Vietnam War? – 23:26
  • Everything in life lies in acceptance – 35:26
  • Military kids taking control in an out-of-control world – 36:58
  • Military transport to Saigon – 51:05

COMING NEXT MONTH:

Christine Madline Ellsworth, poet and 1st time novelist

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

  • Gabriel’s Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology
  • Laura will be signing books Sunday, November 7, 2 to 5 pm at Maple Grove Lutheran Church, 9251 Elm Creek Blvd N, Maple Grove, MN. Several other authors from Night Writers will also be signing books.

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

If you liked this episode, you might also like these Books and Brews episodes:

HELP US GROW

If you enjoy our interviews or have benefited from them, we invite you to help us continue our work. It takes a great deal of time and money to produce Books and Brews. We’ve been doing interviews since January 2017 as a free service to authors. We continue to promote those authors on our social media for years after their interviews.

  • Subscribing, following, liking, commenting and sharing all help us to keep doing what we do.
  • A $5 tip helps us pay for our many expenses: Libsyn hosting, web hosting, Google meets, providing the drinks for the interview and the many hours of preparation and editing that go into each episode.
  • Patreon: patreon.com/BooksandBrewswithLauraVosika
  • Tip Jar: paypal.me/booksandbrewsMN
  • Books and Brews products:
    https://www.zazzle.com/store/books_an… (more to come)
  • Sponsor an episode to promote your product or service: contact us booksandbrewslive@gmail.com

Minnesota Mysteries with Christine Husom, Episode #30

Minnesota mysteries with Christine Husom, formerly of the Wright Co Sheriff's office.

Christine Husom is a national best-selling author from Minnesota writing, you guessed it…Minnesota mysteries! She pens the suspenseful Winnebago County Mysteries and the cozy, but not too cozy, Snow Globe Shop Mysteries where bad guys demonstrate not everyone is “Minnesota Nice.” She also has stories in many anthologies.

Husom served with the Wright County Sheriff, is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime and is active with the Twin Cities chapter. She loves meeting readers at a variety of venues and events.

We talked about the journey from the sheriff’s office to becoming an author, people’s views of Minnesota, and more. Another fun books and brews interview!
www.christinehusom.com

Christine’s Readings:

  • Death in Lionel’s Woods – 33:47
  • Secret in Whitetail Lake – 26:11
  • Frosty the Dead Man – 41:36

Michael’s Beer Pairings:

Interview Highlights:

  • From Sheriff’s Office to Author – 16:21
  • Writing from things seen at the sheriff’s office – 18:23
  • Researching for a crime novel – 19:35
  • Character-driven vs plot driven – 34:29
  • Readers’ views of Minnesota – 36:12
  • Writing mysteries vs writing other fiction – 50:18

COMING NEXT MONTH:

Sandy Hanna, Memoirs of military life

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Gabriel’s Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

If you liked this episode, you might also like these Books and Brews episodes:

HELP US GROW

If you enjoy our interviews or have benefited from them, we invite you to help us continue our work. It takes a great deal of time and money to produce Books and Brews. We’ve been doing interviews since January 2017 as a free service to authors. We continue to promote those authors on our social media for years after their interviews.

  • Subscribing, following, liking, commenting and sharing all help us to keep doing what we do.
  • A $5 tip helps us pay for our many expenses: Libsyn hosting, web hosting, Google meets, providing the drinks for the interview and the many hours of preparation and editing that go into each episode.
  • Patreon: patreon.com/BooksandBrewswithLauraVosika
  • Tip Jar: paypal.me/booksandbrewsMN
  • Books and Brews products:
    https://www.zazzle.com/store/books_an… (more to come)
  • Sponsor an episode to promote your product or service: contact us booksandbrewslive@gmail.com

Romance and Royals with Nicole Burnham, Episode #29

Award-winning author Nicole Burnham talks about romance and royals.

Nicole Burnham is the RITA Award-winning author of over twenty romance novels, including the popular Royal Scandals series. Romance and Royals is what it’s all about!

As an army brat, Nicole was raised moving around the world. She still travels abroad whenever she can score cheap airfare and loves that it feeds her writing. If Nicole isn’t at her keyboard, she is happiest spending time at Fenway Park or trail running.

We talked about identical twins, the appeal of romance and royals, the fictional setting of Nicole’s royals, a prince in hiding and more.
www.nicoleburnham.com  

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Nicole’s Readings (read by Hollis McCarthy):

  • Scandal with a Prince (Megan Hears a Voice) – 12:32
  • Slow Tango with a Prince (Emily Finds Vittorio) – 26:02
  • To Kiss a King (Expert Advice) – 45:31

Michael’s Beer Pairings: 

Interview Highlights: 

  • Struck by a voice – 14:10
  • What drew you to royalty? – 18:48
  • A man’s point of view vs. a woman’s point of view in romance – 30:04
  • Identical twins – 33:28
  • Law degree and writing romance – 35:35
  • Emotional focus of romance novels – 50:25
  • Fictional kingdom vs. a real kingdom – 53:02
  • Growing up military and writing – 54:58

COMING NEXT MONTH:

Christine Husom, mystery author

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Gabriel’s Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

If you liked this episode, you might also like these Books and Brews episodes:

HELP US GROW

If you enjoy our interviews or have benefited from them, we invite you to help us continue our work. It takes a great deal of time and money to produce Books and Brews. We’ve been doing interviews since January 2017 as a free service to authors. We continue to promote those authors on our social media for years after their interviews.

  • Subscribing, following, liking, commenting and sharing all help us to keep doing what we do.
  • A $5 tip helps us pay for our many expenses: Libsyn hosting, web hosting, Google meets, providing the drinks for the interview and the many hours of preparation and editing that go into each episode.
  • Patreon: patreon.com/BooksandBrewswithLauraVosika
  • Tip Jar: paypal.me/booksandbrewsMN
  • Books and Brews products:
    https://www.zazzle.com/store/books_an… (more to come)
  • Sponsor an episode to promote your product or service: contact us booksandbrewslive@gmail.com

Time Travel, Mystery and Sci-Fi with Jeff LaFerney, Episode #28

Books and Brews: the place where beer and literature meet

Jeff LaFerney is a prolific writer who covers it all! Time travel, history, mystery, paranormal, sci-fi, father and son...and even basketball!

Jeff LaFerney is a prolific writer who covers it all! Time travel, history, mystery, paranormal, sci-fi, father and son…and even basketball!

His Clay and Tanner Thomas series focuses on a father and son team who use parapsychological abilities to solve mysteries. Jumper is a time-travel science fiction adventure. Lost and Found, is a unique mystery/treasure hunt with ties to World War II history. His latest, Planer, is the sequel to Jumper, his best-selling novel.

Jeff was a full-time language arts teacher in Davison, Michigan, for 30 years. After coaching basketball for most of his career, he decided to write books instead and took on his new hobby. Now he spends his free time reading, writing, and editing books. He and his beautiful wife have two adult children.

He has a blog called The Red Pen where he usually infuses humor to share about himself or to give inspiration or writing tips.
jefflaferney.blogspot.com

Jeff’s Readings:

  • Loving the Rain – 13:28
  • Lost and Found – 30:22
  • Jumper – 43:35

Michael’s Beer Pairings: 

Interview Highlights: 

  • What led to the very strong disclaimer that your work is fiction! – 22:15
  • Mixing secular and faith – 23:52
  • What’s historical, what’s not – 38:19
  • Research on time travel – 49:11
  • Dropping crumbs that readers want to follow – 51:54
  • How to hook the reader – 54:30

COMING NEXT MONTH:

Nicole Burnham, romance author

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Gabriel’s Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

If you liked this episode, you might also like these Books and Brews episodes:

HELP US GROW

If you enjoy our interviews or have benefited from them, we invite you to help us continue our work. It takes a great deal of time and money to produce Books and Brews. We’ve been doing interviews since January 2017 as a free service to authors. We continue to promote those authors on our social media for years after their interviews.

  • Subscribing, following, liking, commenting and sharing all help us to keep doing what we do.
  • A $5 tip helps us pay for our many expenses: Libsyn hosting, web hosting, Google meets, providing the drinks for the interview and the many hours of preparation and editing that go into each episode.
  • Patreon: patreon.com/BooksandBrewswithLauraVosika
  • Tip Jar: paypal.me/booksandbrewsMN
  • Books and Brews products:
    https://www.zazzle.com/store/books_an… (more to come)
  • Sponsor an episode to promote your product or service: contact us booksandbrewslive@gmail.com