SAM Magazine

E204 - Renée Gendron, A Coffee for Two

E204 - In the fact portion of the podcast, Joanna discusses the difference between Canadian and American milk and references the USMCA. 
Today's guest author is Renée Gendron, who has written romantic mysteries, contemporary romances, historical western romances, sci-fi romances, and fantasy romances. She’s a structural editor for Fedowar Press. 
As for Renée's other interests, she enjoys learning about history and military history. Every place has impacted history in some way. She finds it interesting to learn about small towns, how they shaped their regions and country, which famous people were born there, and how these events shape culture and identity. When she travels, she loves to explore ruins and historical places. Forts are some of her favorite places to visit. Renée's website is https://reneegendron.com/
Joanna reads an excerpts from Renée's novel, A Coffee for Two.
 
 

E203 - Sarah Bresniker, Mother Clucker

E203 – I read an excerpt from the Farm to Foul Play anthology, Sarah Bresniker’s short story Mother Clucker. Sarah is a mystery writer and former librarian who lives in Northern California. Her Arlie Wynne stories are fun, light mysteries revolving around the definitely made-up Ocean Grove Public Library where reference questions often involve murder, and the librarians have skills far beyond making book recommendations. She has published two short stories, one in the 2021 Sisters in Crime Guppy Anthology The Fish That Got Away and one in the 2023 Sisters in Crime San Diego Chapter Anthology, Crime Under the Sun. She is working on her first novel, which was a finalist for the Claymore Award for unpublished manuscripts at Killer Nashville 2023. Learn more at SarahBresniker.com

E202 - Brian Shea and William Bishop, Farm to Foul Play anthology

E202 - In this double feature, Joanna reads a story excerpt from Brian Shea's short story, Half a Heart. Brian once lived in the lower Sierra foothills where, through the generosity of a fifth generation rancher and his "ditch water" (irrigation allotment), he tilled and toiled on two acres of ranchland to demonstrate sustainable farming practices. He has sat at Slow Food feasts from California to Florida. Brian splits his time between designing books and writing a political thriller.
The second story Joanna reads is William Bishop's short story Death of an Ugly Woman. William was born and raised in Eureka, CA. He has a BA in French, BS in Computer Science, and a thirty-five year career as a machine designer. His interests are in robotics and philosophy. He is retired and currently lives in Modesto, CA.
 

E201 - Chris Dreith, Dear John Deere

E201 - I read Chris Dreith’s short story, Dear John Deere. Chris Dreith got hooked on writing mysteries while creating plays for her local Carnegie Library’s fundraiser, Mystery in the Library. While running her design/remodel business, she wrote several short stories, including Old Soles in the Boucheron 2020 anthology; Unknown Male and Parts of Two Others, in Cemetery Plots of Northern California, the Capitol Crimes 2021 anthology. Recently retired, Chris is happily adding more quirky short stories to her arsenal and working on her first thriller novel.
Chris’s inspiration for her short story Dear John Deere came from knowing farmers and what they find most important (the quality of their crops and their tractors).

E200 - Danna Wilberg, Fork and Knife

E200 - “The best secrets are the most twisted.” Sarah Shepard’s quote best describes author Dänna Wilberg’s quest to unravel life’s mysteries with every keystroke, on every page.  Her series, The Red Chair, The Grey Door, and The Black Dress, featuring psychotherapist Grace Simms, poses the question: “What do we really know about a person?”
Dänna’s short story, Fork and Knife published in the Farm to Foul Play anthology was a fun story to write. The theme came organically, incorporating some of her favorite places to eat, and her experience touring the Culinary Institute in the Bay area when she first moved to Northern California. Figuring out how to weave mystery and murder into love triangles, or rocky relationships is what she does best. "Everyone has a secret. Easing the steam out of a pressure cooker keeps the flavor from escaping, so to speak."
Dänna’s paranormal Borrowed Time series about a woman who acquires a psychic gift after a near-death experience is filled with gems from Dänna’s own experience producing/hosting the TV show “Paranormal Connection.” Her plot points are ripped from the headlines, addressing current issues such as serial murders, human trafficking, AI mind control, cartels, etc. Wilberg’s characters are richly drawn and authentic, her scene settings span the globe, and her background as an award-winning script-writer and film-maker add magic to her storytelling. Her short films have won numerous awards, and her short stories can be found in anthologies world-wide.
Danna Wilberg

E199 - Linda Joy Singleton, Fowl Play

E199 - It's the Farm to Foul Play takeover by the Capitol Crimes chapter of SinC. In E199, I have the pleasure of reading Linda Joy Singleton's short story, Fowl Play.
When Linda lived on a small farm in Galt, CA, her family had chickens, goats, and pigs. While coyotes didn't mess with the pigs, they were a danger to the goats, chickens and small pets. When they howled at night, Linda felt like her home was under siege. But then one morning she stepped outside and there was a coyote, looking almost like an ordinary dog. They stared at each other, and then it was gone. Linda says, “It's confusing to love dogs yet hate coyotes for threatening my animals. And that experience inspired my story about a dangerous but misunderstood coyote.”
Linda Joy Singleton wrote her first story when she was seven. She dreamed of being a published author—and that dream came true! Now she’s the author of over 55 books for children, including pictures books and mystery series Curious Cat Spy Club, Haunted Holidays, The Seer, and Dead Girl Walking. A fan letter she wrote to her favorite author when she was 13 led to a life-long friendship. She lives in the Northern CA foothills, surrounded by a menagerie of animals including dogs, cats, peacocks, guinea hens, mini cows, horses and pigs. For more information about Linda Joy Singleton, her website is: www.LindaJoySingleton.com

E198 - Elaine Faber, The Sacramento Truck Farm

E198 -  It's the Farm to Foul Play takeover by the Capitol Crimes chapter of SinC. In E198, I have the pleasure of reading Elaine Faber's short story, The Sacramento Truck Farm.
The story is set in 1928 about a young girl who fancies herself as Nancy Drew and she’s determined to grow up and be a detective. She hears on the radio about a local bank robbery with a description of the robbers. When she sees customers at her mother's fruit stand who resemble the thieves, she cleverly detains them and calls the police. The story includes many situations, items, settings, current events and 1928 era descriptions.
Elaine just published a novel in November 2024, Mrs. Odboddy and the Conniving Candidate, a humorous historical fiction set in WWII with an elderly sleuth.
Elaine is an award-winning author, who lives in Elk Grove, CA with her husband and her cat, Truffie. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Northern CA Publishers and Authors, and Elk Grove Writers Guild. She has published eleven cozy mystery/adventure novels, an anthology of cat stories, and her short stories are included in twenty-plus independent anthologies.
Elaine loves to mentor new writers; beta read or edit other authors’ works in progress and talk endlessly about the characters in her novels. Readers can view her website at www.mindcandymysteries.com
 

E197 - Angela Douglas, Every Fall

E197 - In this special episode I interview author, Angela Douglas, about her just released novel, Every Fall, and attached to this interview I’ve included the reading I did of Chapter 3 of Every Fall. Angela's writing is intense. There's a real feeling of suspense and foreboding as we step into the world of beat cop Jake Stone and his wife, Bree. Trigger warning, this episode contains explicit language.
Angela Douglas is a marketing communications professional, writer, and mother. She writes thrillers and creative non-fiction, especially travel stories. When she isn’t working or chasing her children, she is hiding in her studio with her bulldog Frankie at her side, writing her next book. Her debut novel, psychological thriller Every Fall, has been published by Rising Action Publishing Collective, and is available now at this Amazon link. To learn more about Angela her website is angeladouglasbooks.com or @angeladouglasbooks on social media.