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In today's episode, I interview romance author Kay Parquet about her delightful series, Blossom Street. Each story explores a different life and love of the people who populate her cozy town. We discuss some of our favorite stories, talk about her writing journey, and how ADHD affects writing and reading. If you're looking for clean romance stories that feature realistic people, this is the series for you!

Find Kay Online: https://kayparquet.com/

Her AuthorTube channel: @KayParquet

Here's a couple of blog posts she written about ADHD and burnout, I found these to be really helpful in my own journey!

https://kayparquet.com/youre-not-lazy-you-just-have-adhd/

https://kayparquet.com/burnout-in-creatives/

Books Mentioned:

The Expanse Series by James S. A. Corey

The Silo Series by Hugh Howey

Deryni Series, Katherine Kurtz

Dragon Riders of Pern series by Anne McCaffery

Dresden Files by Jim Butcher

Recommended Writing Books

Save the Cat Writes Horror (and other Save the Cat books)

Outlining Your Novel by K. M. Weiland

Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes

How to Write a Romance Novel by Judy Angelo

Show, Don't Tell by Sandra Gerth

Dear Writer, Are You In Burnout? by Becca Syme

Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury

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Today's interview is with the cozy mystery author Shannon Symonds! She returns to the podcast to talk about her new book, Murder by the Book, we catch up on all the exciting changes that have to her life this past year, and we then reflect on the year and express gratitude for all that has happened.

Just a note: This episode was intended to come out on Thanksgiving weekend, but due to some illnesses it was delayed in getting out, which is why I refer to Thanksgiving so much. Also I was just getting a cold and Shannon was suffering from some allergies. Tis the season for sneezing I guess!

Find Shannon Symonds online at: https://www.shannonsymonds.com/

The Balefire Bay Cozy Mystery Series:

Booked for Murder

Murder by the Book

#podcast #booktube #cozymysteryauthor #cozymystery #authorinterview #authortube

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There are 4 ways you can help support the channel!

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Today on The Bookshelf Odyssey Podcast, we’re talking about dragons! My guest is YA author Mari Mancusi, a versatile writer who has created stories for readers of all ages. Recently, she’s turned her talents toward crafting a thrilling trilogy about the dragon apocalypse. As we explore her writing journey, you’ll hear how a Disney superfan ended up writing books for Disney, why it’s so important to write what you love, and—of course—plenty about dragons.

Mari has a whole collection of books that would make fantastic gifts for the readers in your life, whether they’re young or simply young at heart!

Author Website: www.marimancusi.com

MG/YA BOOK LIST

Dawn of the Dragons - LBYR - out September 2nd

The Official Wednesday Cookbook - PRH - Out July 22nd

Sally’s Lament: A Nightmare Before Christmas Twisted Tale - Disney

All is Found: A Frozen Anthology - Disney

New Dragon City - LBYR

Frozen: Polar Nights, Cast into Darkness - Disney

Frozen: Dangerous Secrets - Disney

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I’m excited to share today’s episode—our 100th episode of The Bookshelf Odyssey! To celebrate this milestone, I’m joined by author Leokadia George for a conversation about a topic that’s close to my heart: animal conservation. Leokadia has partnered with the New York Wolf Conservation Center to create a delightful series of children’s books about Trumpet, a real Mexican Gray Wolf whose story reflects the ongoing efforts to protect this endangered species.

In our interview, we dive into the inspiration behind her stories, the vital work being done at the NYWCC, and what we can all learn from wolf behavior and conservation efforts.

I walked away from this conversation inspired—and I think you will too. Don’t miss this special episode!

Trumpet's story is available everywhere, but here is the Wolf Conservation Center's shop where you can get Leokadia's books, along with teaching guides and more: https://shop.nywolf.org/collections/education-guides-books

Find out more about New York Wolf Conservation Website: https://nywolf.org/

Find out more about Leokadia George here: https://brileybaxterbooks.com/author-leokadia-george/

Find our more about LightHawk Conservation Flying: https://www.lighthawk.org/

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Can someone accidentally become a writer?

Today, my interview takes us over to beautiful Edinburgh, Scotland as I interview mystery author Val Penny! She writes crime mysteries set in Edinburgh - The DI Hunter Wilson Crime Series and the new spinoff series The Jane Renwick Thrillers. In today’s episode we talk about what we’re currently reading and the joy of rereading books throughout our life, her writing journey that began with a hard battle with cancer, and we find out how, as she puts it, “ignorance of how publishing works and illness” helped her to “accidentally” get published! Once you read her books, you’ll realize that her success is in no way an accident.

Val Penny: www.valpenny.com

Books Mentioned:

Hunter's Chase by Val Penny

The First Cut by Val Penny

A Fighting Chance by Val Penny dffasfsafasfasfasfsadfsadf

None of this is True by Lisa Jewell

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

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There are 4 ways you can help support the channel!

-Like and subscribe!
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Today on the podcast, I’m joined by the talented Michele Pariza Wacek — author of an incredible range of mysteries, thrillers, and cozies, all set within a shared universe. We kick things off chatting about our pets (naturally!), share some great reading recommendations, and gush over one of my favorite series — The Dresden Files. Then we dive into Michele’s writing journey, explore how all her stories connect, and talk about the craft of writing and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Find Michele online: https://michelepw.com/

She has several new books out right now, and her latest Christmas themed one will be out in just a couple of weeks!

Books Mentioned:

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ghost

A Mysterious Christmas Collection

Arson, Old Lace, and Murder

The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher

Louise Penny

Elizabeth George

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There are 4 ways you can help support the channel!

-Like and subscribe!
-I'm now a bookshop.org affiliate - check out my shop and find your next great read! https://bookshop.org/shop/bookshelfodyssey
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- My Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2PTGNQWISVZE/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_3
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This week on The Bookshelf Odyssey Podcast, I interview author Kimberley Webb, who has just written a wonderful book called Jillian’s Island. I’m excited to introduce you to this talented new author! How does she find time to write and publish her own book while also being a full-time mom and wife? It’s all about balance and making time for the things that matter. We talk about that, dive into the craft of writing while busy, explore the art of creating believable characters, our love of genre mashups, and learn how her passion for the book Ella Enchanted inspired her to begin her own writing journey!

Find Kimberly Webb online: https://authorkimberlywebb.com/

Books Mentioned:

The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury

So Far Gone by Jess Walter

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There are 4 ways you can help support the channel!

-Like and subscribe!
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Is reading a form of self-care? In today’s episode, I’m joined by author Ciara Blume for a cozy and thought-provoking chat about how books can bring comfort, healing, and inspiration. We talk about reading as self-care, writing as a path to emotional wellness, and how fiction helps us better understand ourselves and others. Along the way, Ciara shares her reading journey, favorite authors, and her latest book project. If you love book talk, Jane Austen, writing inspiration, or mental wellness through stories, this episode is for you.

📚 Topics include:

• How reading and writing can support emotional and mental health
• The power of stories to heal and inspire
• Favorite books that bring comfort and joy

✨ Subscribe for more cozy conversations about reading, writing, and living a well-read life.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Pet Talk

05:24 Getting to Know Ciara – Reading Recs and More

06:15 Jane Austen chat!

10:00 Book Talk

11:20 Ciara's Writing Journey (and that teacher who said happy endings weren’t “cool enough”)

31:49 Fiction as Self-Care – How Reading and Writing Can Bring Healing

42:56 Her New Book

53:30 Concluding Thoughts

Books Mentioned:

Natural Magic Series

The Mudpuddle Manual of Natural Magic

The Witches Catalogue of Wanderlust Essentials

The Magpie Oracle of Sense and Serendipity

Jane Austen

Emma: A Modern Retelling by Alexander McCall Smith

Tirzah Price’s mystery novels

The Marriage of Opposites and The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

#BookTube #podcast #authortube #Reading #SelfCare #BookPodcast #AuthorInterview #CiaraBlume #MentalHealth #Fiction #WritingCommunity #BookLovers

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There are 4 ways you can help support the channel!

-Like and subscribe!
-I'm now a bookshop.org affiliate - check out my shop and find your next great read! https://bookshop.org/shop/bookshelfodyssey
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- My Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2PTGNQWISVZE/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_3
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Find Me Online:

Podcast: https://bookshelfodyssey.buzzsprout.com/
Voxer: @artbookshelfodyssey
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Facebook Group Page: @thebookshelfodyssey
Twitter: @odyssey_podcast
Instagram: @bookshelfodysseypodcast