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Corks and Conversation with Al Pessin

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This week’s Corks and Conversation with Al Pessin is one we’ve been looking forward to for this whole season! Turns out, recording it was as fun and informative as we hoped it would be! Have a listen…

Al is a conference friend of ours (Sleuthfest and Thrillerfest) and a new novelist whose book we just love!  Sandblast is his debut thriller and the first in a series of books dealing with politics and intrigue. Al signed for a three book series, which is an author’s dream come true.

Unfortunately the timing of Sandbast‘s book birthday comes during a world pandemic. Instead of in-person book signings, meet Al Pessin and buy his book during a Live Facebook Book Launch on March 31 at 7:00 pm. We will be there so join us! After listening to this episode, you will want to know the man behind the voice!

We shared, or attempted to share, one of Al’s favorite wines, Casal Garcia Vinho Verde from Portugal. Each of us has a story about this wine. After hearing Cathi’s story, Christie and Al thought maybe it was time for her to relocate from South Dakota. Not really, but South Dakota appears to be handling the Covid-19 by closing the only liquor store in town. Shocking!

Al describes his road to publication and it is fascinating and inspiring.  Al’s story gives us a present day perspective on the industry. He tells of five years from fingers on key board to book launch, with all the twists and turns along the way.

After you enjoy this episode and attend his virtual book launch, then you will want to buy Sandblast for your next virtual book club read.  This book compares to a Tom Clancy novel only instead of Jack Ryan we have Bridget Davenport working her way through the many corridors of the Pentagon. In Al’s words:

“Bridget is kind of an amalgam of some incredible women that I met during the time that I was covering the Pentagon”

Then listen to next week’s episode where we discuss the book (no spoilers). We pair it with food and wine and give you ideas for your virtual book club.  Subscribe to Game of Books so you don’t miss this episode!

You can find all our episodes and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play or right here on our website!

 

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Corks and Conversation with Catriona McPherson

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On Episode 26: Corks and Conversation with Catriona McPherson, we once again had good laughs and found inspiration from an award-winning and prolific author.  She is also the Guest of Honor at Sleuthfest 2020. Sadly, this was cancelled due to this pandemic. We should rename this episode Corks and Coronovirus. While you are home looking for some social interaction, join us for this fun chat …

Catriona published 26 novels, including 2 series of light and breezy mysteries and 10 suspenseful standalones. So, of course, we asked her about her writing process. Here are some of her quotes on her work ethic:

“I write two or three a year, so my calendar is quite tight, so there’s normally no time for the muse and the vapors and all that…”

“The days when I’m flying along and I just think I’m all that and the days that I’m literally crying, I mean I’m weeping into my keyboard, when I read what I wrote on those two different kinds of days, the writing doesn’t show the difference.”

She shared many more fascinating tidbits, and all with a wonderful Scottish accent. She lives in California now but spent most of her life in her native Scotland. Which explains what meal she would share with her character – Fish and chips and mushy peas out of a paper packet at the harbor, which you’d have to protect it from seagulls.

We shared, sort of, a Blackstone Cabernet Sauvignon. This was Christie’s wine from the week before but it served the purpose here, and will for any listeners who like to sip along.

And if you haven’t listened to last week’s episode, you have the time now. We pair her latest book and Mary Higgins Clark award finalist, Strangers at the Gate, with wine and comfort food for your virtual book club.

You can find all our episodes and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play or right here on our website!

 

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Strangers at the Gate and 3 Girls Cabernet

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On Season 2 Episode 25, we celebrated Friday the 13th, or perhaps in these times of Covid-19, we should say Beware the Ides of March. Whatever it is, we had fun discussing Catriona McPherson’s newest novel, Strangers at the Gate.

This haunting book set in Scotland is a Mary Higgins Clark award finalist. We paired it with the yummy 3 Girls Cabernet.  This wine also played a part in the food recipe, Host the Toast’s Balsamic-Red Wine Roasted Chicken Thighs.  This made a warm and cozy book club in contrast with the dark and dreary setting that Catriona described so beautifully.

Catriona McPherson is also the Guest of Honor at the upcoming writing conference, Sleuthfest. We love this conference for both craft and fun. So far, it is a small enough conference that it isn’t cancelled (they are following CDC guidelines). If you haven’t yet, you can still register online during the next few days.  Hope to see you there!

For the Writer’s Perspective, we delved into writing settings that draw the reader in. Here’s an example we loved from Strangers at the Gate when the protagonist is describing the trees around her new house:

“If only they looked a bit less like a silent army of strangers standing dead still and watching me …  if only there weren’t faces etched into the swirl of the bark, knot-hole mouths wide open and black eyes weeping resin tears.”

Cheers and stay healthy!

You can find all our episodes and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play or right here on our website!

 

 

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Insight from Nina Sadowsky, the writer, producer, director

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On last Friday’s episode we talked with Nina Sadowsky. This smart, accomplished and funny woman gave us such insight into thriller writing and Hollywood.  She also tells us about a surprise trip to Tokyo and Hong Kong that inspired her latest book, The Empty Bed. Have a listen:

Tomorrow’s episode we pair food and wine with Strangers at the Gate by Catriona McPherson. It’s a haunting thriller set in Scotland and a Mary Higgens Clark award nominee!

With all the precautions to help stop the spread of Covid-19 a few of you may find yourself with some time alone on your hands. This is a perfect time to listen to podcasts, especially any of our episodes from Season 1 or our Killer Season 2.  And don’t forget our new episodes come out every Friday morning (that’s tomorrow).

You can find all our episodes and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play or right here on our website!

 

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Corks and Conversation with Nina Sadowsky

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Our Killer Season 2 continues to delight! Episode 24 Corks and Conversation with Nina Sadowsky continued our series of talking with strong successful women authors in the mystery genre. Listen to find out how this producer, director, and writer from the Film and TV Industry has also conquered novel writing.

We enjoyed a glass of pinot noir from Mirassou, the first winery to bring this variety to California. This was perfect to share with Nina since she lives in California.  And coming from one “hard to break into” business to another, she had so many inspirational and interesting things to say.

On years of writing in Film/TV industry:   “The fact that I was going to hate writing because I felt so depressed about being overlooked or marginalized was really hurting me.”

On writing her first novel:  “I have no expectations, it’s just for me, it’s for me to reclaim my love for writing.”

On the difference between the two: “In Hollywood, writers are taught to be in competition with each other, but book writers lift each other up.”

If you haven’t already, go out and get her latest thriller, the second in the Burial Society Series, is The Empty Bed.  We really enjoyed it and you can hear our take and food/wine pairings on last week’s episode.

You can find all our episodes and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play or right here on our  website!

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The Empty Bed and TYKU Sake

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For Season 2, Episode 23 we decided to take a virtual trip to Hong Kong  and enjoyed TYKU Sake and Dim Sum.

This pairs perfectly with Nina Sadowsky‘s The Empty Bed, the second in her Burial Society series. That’s  because the book takes place, for a large part, in Hong Kong. The Empty Bed is a thrill-a-minute read with such a unique perspective. Definitely check it out (or buy it) before next week’s Corks and Conversation with the author. You won’t be disappointed!

Of course, since you will be reading instead of cooking, you can order some Dim Sum take-out from your local Chinese restaurant, like we suggested for a book club.  Along with some sake, you have everything you need!

Speaking of sake, this was our first foray into the non-grape wines and we were pleasantly surprised.  Sake is not sweet, which is fine for us since we prefer dry wines. We drank the TYKU Sake cold since it is considered a Premium Sake. It seems Christie, who has often enjoyed warm sake, was drinking the not so premium brands. According to their website,  “TYKU is the leader in Premium Sake with the most awarded, best tasting and fastest growing Japanese Sake in the U.S. Made from only 4 all-natural ingredients – premium non-GMO rice, pure soft water, yeast, and handmade koji – making it one of the purest alcoholic beverages on the planet.” It also comes in flavors like cucumber and coconut. And we just picked it for the cool bottle!

This episode has so much more to listen, learn, and laugh with us about … from book birthdays to book editors!

You can find all our episodes and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play or right here on our website!

 

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When You See Me and Ravenswood Zinfandel

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Episode 22 is a special one – we celebrated Christie’s Birthday with Lisa Gardner‘s When You See Me and a glass of Ravenswood Zinfandel!

The wine and food with this episode is sure to please those you enjoy American (artery hardening) food! We learned about the history of the Old Vine Zinfandels of California from the Jancis Robinson website. Interesting story that reads like a romantic thriller!

WHEN YOU SEE ME is the latest in Lisa Gardner’s crime thriller series featuring where D.D. Warren, a
detective, teams up with Flora Dane, a former victim turned vigilante. We loved this book and the series … and so will you!

Of course, we had to talk writing.  We love to research for our books so it was great to review all the ways research can KILL your project (at least according to Lisa Gardner!)

Next week we are talking about The Empty Bed by Nina Sadowsky. Then we will talk with Nina herself. Great book and great conversation that you won’t want to miss!

You can find all our episodes and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play or right here on our website!

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Hear How Jess Lourey Wrestled A Monkey To Write 20 Novels

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Last week’s episode featured best-selling author and writing professor, Jess Lourey, and it didn’t disappoint! Open and engaging, Jess shared so many interesting tidbits like how she has to “Wrestle the monkey in my mind” and her most peaceful place she’s visited, “The sky is really low… something about the clouds it’s just really low, so you feel like you’re under a big blanket the whole time.” 

Listen here:

Tomorrow’s episode falls on my birthday, which means I get to start out listening to a fun episode including some of my favorite thing:  books (Lisa Gardner’s WHEN YOU SEE ME), wine (Zinfandel) and chatting (laughing) with Cathi! Be sure to subscribe to Game of Books so you don’t miss it!

You can find all our episodes and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play or right here on our website!

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Corks and Conversation with Jess Lourey

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Happy Valentine’s Day! We have an episode you’re going to LOVE.

On Episode 21, we have the outstanding opportunity to speak about Unspeakable Things with Jess Lourey. To top it off, we all remotely shared a glass of Bota Box Redvolution.  After talking about the benefits of boxed wine, we got into with this amazing writer. She has written 20 books in many different genres, is an award winning writing teacher, and an inspirational Tedx presenter, so you know she has some awesome insight to share with us.

On sitting down to write:  “It’s always satisfying, but never easy” because we have to wrestle our insecurities. “When you’re drawing without lines… when you’re creating something that wasn’t there before, I think that’s the price you pay”

On her favorite genre to write:  magical realism like her book “The Catalain Book of Secrets”..
“because it’s all about really powerful women and really strong relationships with just a hint of magic.”

Query advice: It’s okay to make mistakes in your letter, it doesn’t have to be flawless. If it’s the right match it works.  And make sure it’s the best book it can be. Get an editor!

On the most relaxing place she’s been: Southwest Ireland – “The sky is really low… something about the clouds it’s just really low, so you feel like you’re under a big blanket the whole time” You’ll have to listen to find out Cathi and Christie’s most relaxing places.

Jess Lourey was a delight to talk to and for more information on Jess’ writing classes and writing retreats, where she teaches writers to travel, find balance and joy, you can find it all on her website.

For those who have already read (you don’t want spoilers) Unspeakable Things, there’s an epilogue you can download at Jess’ website. She’s working a prequel to the book, out next year.  You can also listen to last week’s podcast to get book club ideas!

You can find all our episodes and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play or right here on our website!

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Unspeakable Things and AVA Grace Rosé

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For Episode 20, we discussed Unspeakable Things, the-hard-to-put-down book by Jessica Lourey. Set in small-town Minnesota, near where Cathi grew up,  the book is inspired by a terrifying true story from the author’s hometown. It’s a heart-pounding novel of suspense where nothing is as quiet—or as safe—as it seems. It’s an intense book, but one we didn’t want to stop discussing.

Perfect for a book club, we had fun pairing the wine and food. Because the book is set in the 1980’s, it seemed only logical to share a bottle of wine inspired by the 80’s favorite White Zinfandel. We chose an inexpensive Ava Grace Rose, after having learned how closely related the two wines are. And inspired by a pivotal buffet scene in the book, we’d serve another 80’s fav – a 7 Layer Salad. REAL HOUSEMOMS has a nice updated recipe (in case yours is still from 1987).

For the Writer’s Perspective, we discussed the difference between Adult and Young Adult Mysteries, especially with the presence of a young narrator. Here is the link to Janice Hardy’s website  who gave a workshop at Sleuthfest a few years ago and help Christie determine she was writing a young adult novel.  Another resource for our discussion was a Writer’s Edit article that sums it up in three points.

Finally, find out what, if anything, Cathi and Christie are doing for Valentine’s Day next week. We know our Corks and Conversation with Jess Lourey will be good entertainment anyway!

You can find all our episodes and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play or right here on our website!

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