Episode #33: Shannyn Schroeder

Posted on January 3, 2022 by beerlit

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’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:

Grain Belt Premium, August Schell Brewing Company (paired to It Takes a Thief) – 9:12
Undercover Investigation Shutdown Ale, Lagunitas Brewing Company (paired to Catch Your Breath) – 23:26
Family Drama, Flying Dog Brewery (paired to My Forever Plus-One) – 40:15

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.

Episode #29: Nicole Burnham

Posted on September 2, 2021 by beerlit

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Nicole Burnham is the RITA Award-winning author of over twenty romance novels, including the popular Royal Scandals series. 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.
www.nicoleburnham.com

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:

Sofie, Goose Island Beer Company (paired to Scandal with a Prince) – 10:33
Tango, Wyerbacher Brewing Company (paired to Emily Finds Vittorio) – 23:28
Ola Dub Special Reserve 40, Harviestoun Brewery Ltd. (paired to Expert Advice) – 42:45

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.

Episode #25: Melonie Johnson

Posted on May 6, 2021 by beerlit

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USA Today bestselling author Melonie Johnson―aka #thewritinglush―enjoys cheap wine, expensive beer, and sipping cocktails that start with the letter m. Declared a “writer to watch” by Kirkus and a “fizzy, engrossing new voice” by Entertainment Weekly, her smart funny contemporary romances include Too Good to Be Real and her award-winning Sometimes in Love debut series: Getting Hot with the Scot, Smitten by the Brit, and Once Upon a Bad Boy. A former high school English and Theatre teacher, she spends her days in her Star Wars office, dreaming up meet-cutes. She lives in Chicagoland with her husband, their two redhead daughters, and one very large dog.
Meloniejohnson.com

Melonie’s Readings:

Too Good to be Real – 13:52
Getting Hot with the Scot – 27:05
Smitten by the Brit – 44:44

Michael’s Beer Pairings:

Sea Quench Ale, Dogfish Head Brewery (paired to Too Good to be Real) – 11:05
Old Chub, Oskar Blues Brewery (paired to Getting Hot with the Scot) – 24:53
Lager, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Beer Americano Cocktail (paired to Smitten by the Brit) – 39:23

Beer Americano Recipe

1.5 oz. Campari
1.5 oz. Sweet Vermouth
3 oz. Lager Beer

Fill a collins glass with ice. Add the Campari and vermouth. Froth the beer using an Aerolatteor immersion blender and pour into the glass. Garnish with an orange peel.