slap them cheeks! We talk about viral alien stuff as well as review 3 excellent books! 
The Lion Women of Tehran  by  Marjan Kamali
All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harmon
Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz

EPISODE 462 THE LION WOMEN MOTHERS HATE AUTOMATIC NOODLE

Susana M. Morris

Martha and Voni survive the Mexican wedding and make it back in time to contribute to the podcast.
Check out our reviews!
The Life Impossible by Matt Haig
All The Broken Places by John Boyne
Lexicon by Max Barry

EPISODE 465 ALL THE BROKEN LIFE IMPOSSIBLE LEXICON

In observance of Hispanic Heritage Month and National Literacy Month, Big Blend Radio welcomes award-winning author Rudy Ruiz to discuss his latest novel, The Border Between Us. Longlisted for the Joyce Carol Oates Prize, this poignant coming-of-age story follows Ramón López, a young man growing up on the U.S.-Mexico border who dreams of becoming an artist in New York while navigating the weight of family expectations, cultural identity, and the sacrifices tied to the American Dream.

In this conversation, Ruiz shares insights on the immigrant experience, bilingualism, and the complexities of cultural identity. He reflects on family dynamics, the strength of women in his narrative, and the role of literacy in empowering dreams and aspirations. Ruiz also highlights how storytelling can challenge stereotypes, foster understanding, and create community across borders.

Listen as we explore themes of ambition, sacrifice, resilience, and belonging, all through the lens of one of today’s most authentic voices in borderland literature.

Learn more about Rudy Ruiz and his work at: https://rudyruiz.com/

Author Rudy Ruiz - The Border Between Us

In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures" podcast, travel writer and author Linda Ballou reads an excerpt from her story “Jack London and Me”, featured in her book Lost Angel Unleashed and in the 2024 San Francisco Writers Conference Anthology, "How We Change."

This reading first aired on Big Blend Radio’s special “Feast of Words” Anthology Show, celebrating writers and the transformative power of storytelling. Linda’s piece reflects on Jack London’s adventurous spirit, his influence on her own journey, and the timeless connection between literature and travel.

📝 Learn More & Read:
🔗 Lost Angel Unleashed Book: http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/LostAngelUnleashed.html

🔗 How We Change Anthology: https://www.amazon.com/How-Change-Foundation-Conference-Anthologies/dp/1647150116/

🔗 Linda’s full episode covering Jack London: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/linda-ballou-jack-london-and-me/

🌍 Follow Linda’s travel adventures & books:
🔗 https://lostangeladventures.com
🔗 http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/

🎧 New episodes air every 3rd Wednesday at Noon PST
🎙️ Subscribe to Big Blend Radio: https://lost-angel-travel-adventures.podbean.com

🎤 Also featured on Big Blend Radio's "A Toast to The Arts" Podcast Channel.  Explore the full network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

Jack London and Me – A Reading by Linda Ballou

Martha Waters is known for writing regency romcoms, but her latest title, And Then There Was The One, mashes up cozy mystery and romance tropes in a witty and rollicking nod to both genres. Plus there are sheep, London playboys, puns, and a huge disappointment…at least for this reader! We discuss how she pulls off her homage to Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers…while dialing up the heat past “cozy” in this episode of My Bookcase Slays.
Learn more about GUEST Martha Waters: https://www.marthawaters.com/
 Learn more about HOST Melissa Westemeier: https://www.melwestemeier.com/ 


Martha Waters mashes up mystery and romance tropes in Ep. 8 of My Bookcase Slays

It's the beginning of another spooky month, with all horror novels all month! 
The Night Birds by Christopher Golden
The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling
Coffin Moon by Keith Rossen

EPISODE 469 NIGHTBIRDS STARVING SAINTS COFFIN MOON

Jessica joins us for some horrifying books this week!
Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey
Dark Archives by Megan Rosenbloom
Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
Episode Thirteen by Craig DiLouie


EPISODE 470 LIKE HOME DARK ARCHIVES HUNTER HUNTER THIRTEEN

Janice Hallett masterfully creates a world using text threads, pub quiz results, and emails in her newest book, A Killer Question. I’m a fan of Hallett’s books, and I couldn’t wait to hear her describe what inspired this latest one. All her characters are criminals, each of them play a role in one of (or more!) the mysteries spanning 3 timelines in A Killer Question. Why did Sue and Mal’s country pub, The Case Is Altered, permanently close in 2019? Who are the Shadow Knights, and why does their trivia team keep winning every weekly trivia game? What blew up Sue and Mal’s previous career path in 2014? Whose body was discovered in the river near The Case is Altered and who is responsible for their death? And how on earth does Hallett convey her twisty plot and marvelous characters using ONLY texts and emails as a narrative device? P

Bonus: In a Sudden Death round, Janice answers TWO final questions for ALL THE POINTS!

Learn more about Guest Janice Hallett: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Janice-Hallett/185128688
Learn more about Host Melissa Westemeier:  https://www.melwestemeier.com/



JANICE HALLETT kills it playing pub trivia and creating twisty plots with loads of laughs on Ep. 9  of My Bookcase Slays

Voni is off this week, but we snagged Taylor to join us for some horror reads!
Nothing but Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw
Wake Up and Open your Eyes by Clay Mcleod Chapman
The Lamb by Lucy Rose

EPISODE 471 WAKE UP AND OPEN NOTHING BUT BLACKENED LAMB

Aaron Philip Clark creates a dark world for his PI Trevor Finnegan to solve crime and describes how he wrote this bulk of his latest book, The Bluest Night, over 3 days at an artist’s retreat in Ojai. Drawing from his past as a screenwriter and a LAPD recruit, this SoCal native brings amazing authenticity and detail to the page. We discuss the threats that lurk inside gated communities, strange people, and magnificent sunsets that create the backdrop for the Trevor Finnegan series. He also suggests a spicy whiskey cocktail pairing to heighten the mood as you dip into this noir series.

Aaron Philip Clark goes noir in sunny Malibu in Ep. 10 of My Bookcase Slays

The last week of October reads brings the children of the corn to shame. Check out our "weave" of spooky and snarky webs this week!
Dust Bowl Children by  Wile E. Young and Emily Young
Sour Candy and  Turtle Boy by Kealan Patrick Burke
You Weren't Meant to be Human by Andrew Joseph White

EPISODE 472 YOU WERENT MEANT TO BE SOUR CANDY DUST BOWL

A ghost story in October is tempting enough, but I couldn’t wait to meet a woman whose tagline is mysterious, spooky, cozy + kooky! Olivia Blacke’s newest Ruby and Cordelia Mystery, Death at the Door, continues Ruby’s quest to learn why Cordelia was killed but another body turns up TrendCelerate. We discuss Olivia’s passion for ghosts (including her haunted bookshelf), the crafty way she bridges the normal and supernatural in this series, and why Cordelia makes a perfect foil for Ruby in this series. 
Learn more about Olivia Black: https://oliviablacke.com/
Learn more about Host Melissa Westemeier:  https://www.melwestemeier.com/



Olivia Blacke mixes ghosts, sleuths and MURDER in Ep. 11 Of My Bookcase Slays

Another unintentional theme week! We all came to the table with non-fiction this week, so as you can imagine, we deep dive into serious territory by the end!
Future Boy by Michael J Fox
The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin
Nobody's Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre

EPISODE 473 FUTURE BOY CHILDRENS BLIZZARD NOBODY'S GIRL

Eva Jurczyk’s newest book, 6:40 to Montreal, is an homage to Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. In this locked room thriller, 6 passengers and 1 steward get trapped in train, during a blizzard, with no wi-fi and all their fears and grief surface as the situation gets worse. We’ve all got irrational (or rational?) fears about being trapped, but Eva raises the stakes by drawing on her own experience with illness and how that changes how we view life. No spoilers in this episode, but this conversation will alter your view of a very bloody train car!
Learn more about Guest Eva Jurczyk: https://www.evajurczyk.com/
Learn more about Host Melissa Westemeier:  https://www.melwestemeier.com/


Eva Jurczyk traps readers on a train to wrestle with grief and death in Ep. 12 Of My Bookcase Slays

EPISODE 474 NEVER LIE BETWEEN US KING SORROW

As part of Big Blend Radio’s National Novel Writing Month programming, this episode of the Books & Authors Show with Books Forward features award-winning author Leigh M. Hall, who discusses her new atmospheric post–Civil War horror novel, The Chambermaids (LMH Publications, Nov. 11, 2025).

A Claymore Award Winner for Best Southern Gothic, The Chambermaids follows a young woman and her older husband as they inherit a crumbling ancestral home—only to discover the walls hold more than memories. When two mysterious chambermaids arrive, the house’s haunting secrets begin to unravel, blurring the line between freedom and fate.

Blending psychological thriller and Southern Gothic elements, Hall delivers a chilling and thought-provoking story set in the aftermath of the Civil War—perfect for fans of Anne Rice and Shirley Jackson.

In this engaging conversation, Leigh shares her unique writing journey, how fear and isolation shape her characters, and the importance of authenticity and atmosphere in storytelling. She also discusses the complexities of women’s roles in historical fiction, the influence of Southern culture on her work, and her ongoing exploration of dark, haunting narratives.

✨Learn more about Leigh at https://www.leighmhall.com/

✨Learn more about Books Forward at https://booksforward.com/
 
✨This episode is featured on Big Blend Radio’s “A Toast to The Arts," “Big Daily Blend,” and "Women Making History" podcast channels! Explore the Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

Award-winning Author Leigh M Hall - The Chambermaids

Hi friends! This week we have one of our favorite authors, Ryan La Sala,  joining us again to talk about his new book! We talk about the process of writing a duology for the first time, the importance of drag queens and libraries in the queer community and much much more! 

EP 147; Conversation with Ryan La Sala

Shona L joins us from Houston to fill in for Pat who is off this week! (Go to our Facebook page to see the image of frog butt cheeks) We have invented a new holiday shopping drinking game, plus we review 3 awesome books!!! 

EPISODE 475 TENANT WITCHES ORCHARD PREFERS NOT TO FINAL

Each week we review at LEAST 3 books in different Genres! You never know what topics will come up when we are all together, but we promise it will be a fun time.  We are conquering the world 1 book at a time, come and join us!

Welcome to HarperAcademic Calling.  Our podcast is designed to give educators, students, as well as every reader, a behind-the-scenes chat with a range of our authors--from well-loved favorites to up-and-coming debut writers--about their books.

A Bi-Weekly Podcast about literature pertaining to the LGBTQ+ community hosted by Brendan Patrick & Sophie Green

Select Big Blend Radio interviews that are featured in the digital, interactive Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine. Hosted by Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, mother-daughter travel team and publishers.

The Authors on the Air Global Radio Network is an international digital media corporation featuring  podcasts, book reviewers and conference media coverage..  Our content is available on audio and video platforms in 153 countries.

New tracks tagged #Book Podcast