Stories to Love

Episode 94's guest is author Stefany Valentine.Stefany Valentine is an emerging young adult author. Her first publication is featured in the adoptee anthology, When We Became Ours, and her sophomore title, Love Makes Mochi, is expected to release with Joy Revolution in 2026. Follow her for updates on TikTok, Instagram, and X @BooksByStefany and on her website, stefanyvalentine.wordpress.com.In this episode we discussed her debut novel First Love Language, the significance of its title and its connection to The Five Love Languages. We talked about the nuance of language and how it relates to identity. And finally, how life imitated art and vice versa. This was such a lovely episode, where Stefany was vulnerable in sharing her adoptee experience, and which I feel shines in her novel. I know you're going to enjoy it.I want to thank all of who have subscribed to this podcast! If you haven't, I'd love it if you'd click to follow so you can get notifications of every new episode. And, if have found this podcast helpful and fun, please leave a rating and review—it really helps to boost discoverability. You can even share this episode with a friend. For more information about me, Tif, and submitting to the podcast, please head on to my website, at TifMarcelo.comOther links discussed:There Goes the Neighborhood - Jade AriaThe Broposal by Sonora ReyesMarsha Mickelson -  Where I Belong***New Release: LETTERS FROM THE TRAIL, February 25, 2025Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 93's guest is author Thien-Kim Lam.Thien-Kim Lam writes stories about Vietnamese characters who smash stereotypes and find their happy endings. A recovering Type-Asian, she guzzles cà phê sữa đá, makes art, and bakes her feelings to stay sane. Her debut book Happy Endings was a Washington Post Romance Novel of the Year. Her Mardi Gras romance Full Exposure is a love letter to her Vietnamese community in Louisiana.Thien-Kim also coaches writers of color and is an EDSE certified sex educator and the founder of Bawdy Bookworms, a subscription box that pairs sexy romances with erotic toys. She's been featured on Jezebel, Bustle, Entertainment Weekly, and Oprah Daily.In this episode we chatted about her most recent novel, Something Cheeky. I gushed that she was able to pack both love and social issues in her book. She talked about her varied creative background and how it contributes to the writing And, we had a frank conversation about the pressure of marginalized groups in non-representative careers.Links discussed:Taj McCoy : Zora Books her Happily Ever AfterPiper J Drake: Wings Once Cursed and Bound***New Release: LETTERS FROM THE TRAIL, February 25, 2025Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 92 is author J'Nell Ciesielski.Bestselling author J'nell Ciesielski has a passion for heart-stopping adventure and sweeping love stories while weaving fresh takes into romances of times gone by. When not creating dashing heroes and daring heroines, she can be found dreaming of Scotland, indulging in chocolate of any kind, or watching old black and white movies. She is a member of the Tall Poppy Writers and lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and lazy beagle. Learn more at www.jnellciesielski.com.In this episode we discussed how THE WINGED TIARA was a pivot to a fun project. We talked about the ways she delved into the emotional baggage and backstory of her characters and how old movies help with crafting dialogue. Finally, we touched on how she decided to write in certain time periods.  Links discussed:Yellowface RF KuangFoxglove by Adeline GraceThe Starlets by Jennifer Thorne and Lee Kelly***New Release: LETTERS FROM THE TRAIL, February 25, 2025Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 91: Today's guest is my dearest friend April Asher, but the topic of conversation will be me! Today, February 25 is the release for LOVE LETTERS FROM THE TRAIL, the second book in the Spirit of the Shenandoah series, and April is here to help me celebrate.A little about April:USA Today Bestselling Author April Asher, aka April Hunt, was hooked on romantic stories from the time she first took a romance book out from her mom's bedside table. She now lives out her own happily-ever-after with her college-sweetheart husband, their two children, and a cat who thinks she's more dog—and human—than feline. By day, April dons dark blue nursing scrubs and drinks way too much caffeine. By night, she still consumes too much caffeine, but she does it with a laptop in hand, and from her favorite side of the couch.From the far left cushion, April Asher pens laugh-out-loud romantic comedies with a paranormal twist, but when she's not putting her characters into embarrassing situations with supernatural entities, she also writes high-octane romantic suspense as April Hunt, her thrill-seeking alter ego.And a little about LOVE LETTERS FROM THE TRAIL:Military widow Evangeline Espiritu's world turns topsy-turvy the minute wealthy Cruz Forrester invades the peaceful hiking trail behind her bucolic Virginia bed-and-breakfast. With the privacy of her business at stake, at least she has her trail pen pal, Rolling Stone, to pour her heart out to! After surviving cancer, Cruz is at a crossroads. And whatever he does seems to exasperate the attractive Filipina host, who's alternately infuriating…and intriguing. His only outlet as the duo begins to spar? Writing to his captivating trail correspondent, Blue Moon—whose persona on the page starts to seem awfully familiar as Cruz's battles with Eva soon blossom into something magical neither of them expected…***Preorder LETTERS FROM THE TRAIL, out on February 25, 2025Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Hi this is Tif of the Stories to Love Podcast and this is episode 90. Today's guest is audiobook narrator Jennifer AquinoJennifer Aquino is an actor and award-winning narrator based in Los Angeles with 20+ years working in film, television, theatre, and voiceover. Fun Fact: she's one of the doctors who killed McDreamy on ABC's Grey's Anatomy. In the last three years, Jennifer has narrated for 16 publishers, including Penguin Random House, Hachette, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Podium, among others. She also directs audiobooks, and has directed with  Penguin Random House, Hachette, Macmillan, Brilliance Publishing, and Scholastic. Jennifer recently appeared on the cover of Center Stage Magazine, as well as the CBS reboot of MATLOCK with Kathy Bates, in the role of Miss Tori Park, the Head of HR!In this episode, we talked about her varied background as an Econ major, how it merged with performing arts, and how that helps in her career today. We chatted about her path to becoming an audiobook narrator after starting off in film and TV. And finally we touched on how she auditions to narrate a book, how she evolved from mentee to mentor, and her love of reading. ***Preorder LETTERS FROM THE TRAIL, out on February 25, 2025Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Welcome to episode 89! I am back from my podcast hiatus! I didn't mean to be away so long! And though I was absent from the podcast, if you follow me on socials and my newsletter, so many things have happened. It's been over a year, friends, where there was quite a bit of change in our household. It was a year of deadlines, a move this summer, and getting set up—it was a whole big thing, having to get used to new schedules, while trying to have balance. We all know how that's so hard.But I'm happy to be back, and hopefully will now be in a groove in which I can get some fantastic authors and creators into this virtual studio. I've have missed this space, missed connecting with other folks in this avenue.But to get down to business! I'm so excited to introduce Piper Huguley, where we discussed American Daughters. Piper G. Huguley's biographical historical fiction, By Her Own Design: a novel of Ann Lowe, Fashion Designer to the Social Register tells the inspiring story of the Black fashion designer of Jackie Kennedy's wedding dress. By Her Own Design was a Booklist top 100 Editor's Choice selection for 2022, was named one of the top 100 books of 2022 in Canada by the Globe and Mail newspaper and was selected as the historical fiction winner for 2022 by the American Library Association's Reading Council.She is also the author of Sweet Tea, a contemporary romance about food and history (of course) and the author of two historical romance series: “Migrations of the Heart”, about the Great Migration and “Home to Milford College”. Her next historical fiction book, American Daughters (2024), is the story of the decades-long interracial friendship between Alice Roosevelt and Portia Washington, the rebel teenage daughters of President Theodore Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington, respectively. She is a literature professor at Clark-Atlanta University and blogs about the history behind her novels at http://piperhuguley.com . She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and son. In this conversation, we discussed the idea of a  “way” into a story and Piper's research process. We talked about historical women and their passions and Piper's thoughts about historical accuracy. Finally, she talked about who of the two characters she endeared to the most.***Preorder LETTERS FROM THE TRAIL, out on February 25, 2025Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 88 is a minisode! Today is me and me alone. I'm going to talk about some exciting podcast updates as we head into the end of this year. ***Order FOREVERMORE, a romance anthology, comprised of ten interconnecting romance short stories surrounding the Moore family and a wedding in Napa California. Written by ten Filipino-American authors. Pick it up at books2read.com/forevermoreNote: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 87 is Tosca Lee.Tosca Lee is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of twelve novels including THE LONG MARCH HOME (with New York Times bestselling author Marcus Brotherton) THE LINE BETWEEN, THE PROGENY, THE LEGEND OF SHEBA, and ISCARIOT. Her work has been translated into seventeen languages and been optioned for TV and film. She is the recipient of two International Book Awards, Killer Nashville's Silver Falchion, ECPA Book of the Year, and the Nebraska Book Award, and has finaled for numerous others including the Library of Virginia People's Choice Award, the High Plains Book Award, a second Silver Falchion, and the Christy. When she's not writing, Tosca loves binging television shows, looking for something good to eat, cooking when she can't find it, traveling with her husband, and sleeping in.You can find Tosca on social media or hanging around the snack table. To learn more, please visit toscalee.com.In this episode we discussed the The Long March Home which she cowrote with Marcus Brotherton. We talked about how she came upon this project and her partnership with Marcus, which was a novel collectively 12 years in the making. We discussed her research, and touched on a little bit about farm, pageant, and model life, and her eclectic and amazing backlist.Links:Felipa CulalaBIRD BY BIRD by  Anne LamontBEFORE THE DISAPPEARED by Lisa GardnerDROWNING TJ Newman***Order FOREVERMORE, a romance anthology, comprised of ten interconnecting romance short stories surrounding the Moore family and a wedding in Napa California. Written by ten Filipino-American authors. Pick it up at books2read.com/forevermoreNote: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 86 is Jenna Levine.By day, Jenna Levine works to increase access to affordable housing in the American South. By night, she writes romance novels where ridiculous things happen to beautiful people. When Jenna isn't writing she can usually be found crying over k-dramas, starting knitting projects she won't finish, or spending time with her family and small aarmy of cats.In this episode, we discussed her debut My Roommate is a Vampire, which was a funny and delightful book. We discussed how she wanted a zany vampire world and her love of reading and writing fanfiction. Finally, we talked about how she developed this slow burn romance, her unusual debut experience from law professor to author.Links discussed:What We Do in the ShadowsA Demon's Guide to Wooing a WitchYou with a ViewPAGE CHEWINGAuthor interviews and book discussions with creatives in the book industry.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify***Order FOREVERMORE, a romance anthology, comprised of ten interconnecting romance short stories surrounding the Moore family and a wedding in Napa California. Written by ten Filipino-American authors. Pick it up at books2read.com/forevermoreNote: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 85 is Alli Frank and Asha Youmans Alli Frank has worked in education for over twenty years, from an overcrowded, cacophonous public high school to a pristine private girl's school. She has been a teacher, curriculum leader, college counselor, assistant head, school co-founder, sometimes pastor, often mayor, and de facto parent therapist. A graduate of Cornell and Stanford University, Alli lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two daughters. She is the co-author of Tiny Imperfections, Never Meant to Meet You and The Better Half and an essayist in Moms Don't Have Time to: A Quarantine Anthology.Asha Youmans is the daughter of an educational pioneer and Children's Hospital administrator, after graduating UC Berkeley Asha spent the next twenty years teaching elementary school. Asha continues to work in schools in the Pacific Northwest believing children keep her youthful, as do her husband and two sons. She is the co-author of Tiny Imperfections, Never Meant to Meet You and The Better Half.In this episode we discussed how their first three books are love letters to educators and how their most recent release THE BETTER HALF rose from the inspirations of body autonomy and the concept of arrival. We discussed how these two authors crafted their main character, taking from different inspirations and their overall mission in their writing. Finally we talked about their strengths in their teamwork, about their own meet cute, and how they make things work as co-authors.Links discussed:HOW TO NOT DROWN IN A GLASS OF WATER***Order FOREVERMORE, a romance anthology, comprised of ten interconnecting romance short stories surrounding the Moore family and a wedding in Napa California. Written by ten Filipino-American authors. Pick it up at books2read.com/forevermoreNote: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Here with me today is Maida Malby.Filipino-American author Maida Malby cooks up foodie, multicultural, and contemporary destination romance stories filled with heat, sizzle, spice, and a whole lotta love.She is a member of select writing groups and romance book clubs. Her To-Be-Read Mountain and book reviews are featured here on her blog Carpe Diem Chronicles. Readers can also find her on Lone Star Literary Life via her regular Texas Reads Roundup Romance column.When not writing, reading, or reviewing books, Maida discusses current affairs with her husband, records her son's Travels and Eats videos, cooks the dishes she features in her stories, procrastibakes more often than she should, and watches golf and food shows on TV.In this episode, we talked about FOREVERMORE: a romance anthology, out today, which is the follow on to PASKO NA, MY LOVE, the anthology she edited and spearheaded last year. We also talked about Filipino-American joy, the Filipino grandmother as a unifying character in recent popular media and Filipino culture, her role as editor and publisher of the anthology, and her wise words about success in the business of publishing.FormativeWhere the leaders of today are interviewed by leaders of tomorrow! Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify***Order FOREVERMORE, a romance anthology, comprised of ten interconnecting romance short stories surrounding the Moore family and a wedding in Napa California. Written by ten Filipino-American authors. Pick it up at books2read.com/forevermoreNote: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 83 of the Stories to Love podcast features Mansi Shah.Mansi Shah writes contemporary fiction novels with a focus on her Indian heritage and family relationships. She currently lives in Los Angeles, but she was born in Toronto, Canada, raised in the midwestern United States, and studied at universities in America, Australia, and England. When she's not writing, she's traveling and exploring different cultures near and far (having traveled to around 70 countries and counting), experimenting on a new culinary creation, or working on her tennis game or swim strokes.In this episode we discussed her most recent release, The Direction of the Wind, where we talked about how Mansi wanted to write about mental health and how her chapter 1's remain the same. We also talked about how she tackled its dual timeline narrative, and the novel's deeply flawed characters.Links:The Center by   Ayesha Manazir SiddiqiYou Are Always Mine by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza***Preorder FOREVERMORE, a romance anthology, comprised of ten interconnecting romance short stories surrounding the Moore family and a wedding in Napa California. Written by ten Filipino-American authors. It is on preorder, for $1.99 . Pick it up at books2read.com/forevermoreNote: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Hi everyone, this is Tif on the Stories to Love Podcast and this is episode 82.  Today is a minisode to celebrate the last three years as an independently published podcast! With it, I'm going to share 3 big things I learned doing this podcast.I want to thank all of who have subscribed to this podcast! If you haven't, I'd love it if you'd click to follow so you can get notifications of every new episode. And, if have found this podcast helpful and fun, please leave a rating and review—it really helps to boost discoverability. You can even share this episode with a friend. For more information about me, Tif, and submitting to the podcast, please head on to my website, at TifMarcelo.com***Preorder FOREVERMORE, a romance anthology, comprised of ten interconnecting romance short stories surrounding the Moore family and a wedding in Napa California. Written by ten Filipino-American authors. It is on preorder, for $1.99 . Pick it up at books2read.com/forevermoreNote: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 81 is Priscilla Oliveras.Priscilla Oliveras is a USA Today bestselling author and 2018 RWA® RITA® double finalist who writes contemporary romance with a Latinx flavor. Proud of her Puerto Rican-Mexican heritage, she strives to bring authenticity to her novels by sharing her Latinx culture with readers. Her books have earned Starred Reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Booklist along with praise from O, The Oprah Magazine, Washington Post, New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Frolic, and more. She earned her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University where she currently serves as adjunct faculty while also teaching the online class “Romance Writing” for ed2go. A long-time romance enthusiast, Priscilla's also a sports fan, beach lover, and Zumba aficionado, who often practices the art of napping in her backyard hammock. In this episode we discussed  Her Perfect Affair which is the second book in her debut series, Matched to Perfection, and is a re release.  We discussed the struggle to give characters conflict, and how a character's Internal struggles manifest in their outside world. We talked about her journey as an MFA Student, as a writing instructor, and an author. Finally we talked about how she managed the re release of Her Perfect Affair.Links discussed:Farrah Rochon's ALMOST THERESonali Dev's THE VIBRANT YEARS Alexis Daria's  TAKE THE LEADMia Sosa's THE WEDDING CRASHER GEORGIE ALL ALONG by Kate Clayborn*** WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true is here!Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Hi everyone, this is Tif on the Stories to Love Podcast and this is episode 80. Here with me today is Heather Webber. USA Today bestselling author Heather Webber is the author of more than thirty novels. She loves to read, drink too much coffee and tea, birdwatch, crochet, and bake. She currently lives near Cincinnati, Ohio, and is hard at work on her next book. In this episode we discussed her most recent release At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities, and how her books are sparked by songs. We talked about character development, when one is in the feelings while writing, and the changes in her authorial voice. Finally, we talked about the pivots in her twenty-plus years in her career and throughout the changes in the publishing landscape.Links:Kristy Woodson Harvey's The Summer of SongbirdsThe In-Between Hadley Vlahos*** WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true is here!Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 79 is Evelyn Skye. Evelyn Skye is a New York Times bestselling author of books for adults, young adults, and children. Her highly anticipated forthcoming novels include Damsel (which will also be a Netflix film starring Millie Bobby Brown, Robin Wright, and Angela Bassett) and The Hundred Loves of Juliet.Evelyn is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law School. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and daughter.In this episode we discussed her most recent release, The Hundred Loves of Juliet and her vulnerable and candid discussion about its inspiration and finding herself in this novel. She talked about the soul of this Romeo and Juliet story and how it became a safe space. Finally, we touched on her transition from children's to adult stories.Links discussed:Rethinking by Adam GrantNo Two Persons Erica BaurmeisterThe Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshni ChokshiHidden Brain podcastDamselPrincess Private Eye*** WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true is here!Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 78 is with author Anita Abriel.Anita Abriel is the international bestselling author of The Light After the War, Lana's War, and A Girl During the War. She received a BA in English literature with a minor in creative writing from Bard College. Born in Sydney, Australia, she lives in California with her family. Her hobbies include walking on the beach, seeing classic movies, reading, and traveling. For more information, visit www.anitaabriel.com.In this episode we discussed her most recent novel, The Life She Wanted, which is set in the Gilded Age. We discussed the yearning her main character felt and the rich and lush settings of her books. Her career as Anita Hughes, with a couple of these books making it to film. We also touched on the impetus to move to historical fiction and balancing her romantic fiction career and historical fiction career. LinksKate Morton THE HOMEHOMINGFiona Davis THE SPECTACULAR Carley Fortune MEET ME AT THE LAKEEmily Henry *** WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true is here!Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

This is episode 77 of the  Stories to Love Podcast.  Today is a minisode with yours truly titled; I went on vacation and didn't work, sort of: 5 tips to live in the moment. I'd been thinking of this episode for a while, because this year has been one big event after another, and in making some changes this year, I think I've moved toward some kind of vacation peace which I never had before. So, in this episode, I'm going to discuss the set up of what has been a personally busy year, and the steps I took to wind down and have one of the best vacations I've had in years. Morning and Evening routine episode https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/67-morning-and-evening-routines-while-on-writing/id1527099374?i=1000605449626*** WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true is here!Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 76 of the Stories to Love podcast is here, and my guest is Carolyn Mackler.Carolyn Mackler is the acclaimed author of the YA novels The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things; Infinite in Between; and The Future of Us, among others. Her award-winning novels have appeared on bestseller lists and been translated into more than twenty-five languages. Carolyn lives in New York City with her husband and two sons. The Wife App is her first novel for adults.In this episode we discussed her most recent release, an adult debut named THE WIFE APP and her move from writing in the teen and middle grade space to adult fiction. We discussed a meditation class that became the kernel of inspiration, the concept of unpaid labor and mental load, about her deep research into this topic for the Wife App, and social media FOMO.Links:Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins ReidPineapple Street by Jenny JacksonPachinko by Min Jin LeeTommorow, and Tomorrow, and TomorrowRomantic Comedy*** WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true is here!Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

This is episode 75 of the Stories to Love podcast. Here with me today is Kathleen Willett.Kathleen Willett is an English teacher who grew up in New Jersey and London. She lives in Manhattan with her husband, two daughters, and a cat named Mr. Sparkles. Her second novel, called Anything For A Friend, will be out in November. In this episode, we talked about her most recent novel MOTHER OF ALL SECRETS where we touched on the new, exhausted mother as the unreliable narrator. We talked about modern motherhood where everyone seems to have an opinion of everything. Finally, we discussed the importance of the thinking period in writing, and how Kathleen took those thoughts into her actual writing sessions. Cutting Teeth by Chandler Baker*** WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true is here!Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 74 of the Stories to Love podcast is up! Here with me today is Ferdelle Capistrano, who is the audiobook narrator of WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS.I know Ferdelle as an actor and audiobook performer, but the full story is that she is a multi-hyphenate creative — actor-director-writer-producer — and a first-generation Filipino-Canadian born and raised in Toronto. She instinctively understands the power of representation, since she grew up basically without it, so she set out to live her life to the fullest, to do and experience so much more than can be listed here (in this short bio), so that she could authentically tell the stories of others from a place of true understanding.In this episode we discussed her path to acting and performing, to include the catalyst that encouraged for her to pursue film seriously, and her brave move to Los Angeles from Toronto. We talked about factors in books that make it harder to narrate and how she brings her characters to life. Finally we chatted about the starving artist narrative, her singing, and working on a short film.LinksACX IannotateTHIS IS NOT A PERSONAL STATEMENT  by Tracy BaduaHOW TO BE THE BEST THIRD WHEEL by Loridee De Villa*** WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true is here!Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

This is episode 73 of the Stories to Love podcast . Here with me today is Becky Dean.Becky Dean is a fan of adventures both real and fictional. When she's not writing or traveling, she can be found drinking tea, watching science fiction shows, or quoting The Lord of the Rings. Though she lives in Texas with her husband, she remains a Southern California girl at heart. She is the author of two contemporary young adult romances and also writes science fiction under the name B.L. Dean.In this episode we discussed her most recent travel romcom, Picture Perfect Boyfriend. We chatted about writing settings she loved, Remington Steele, her love of travel and reading. We also discussed her author journey, including her sci-fi books written under a pen name and how she world builds.Links discussed: Kaitlyn Hill's  Not Here to Stay FriendsK.L. Walther's What Happens After Midnight*** WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true is here!Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

This is episode 72 of the Stories to Love podcast. Here with me today is Addie Woolridge.Born and raised outside Seattle, Washington, Addie Woolridge is a classically trained opera singer with a degree in music from the University of Southern California, and she holds a master's degree in public administration from Indiana University. She currently lives in Northern California, where, when she isn't writing or singing, Woolridge can be found baking; training for her sixth race in the Seven Continents Marathon Challenge; or taking advantage of the region's signature beverage, wine.In this episode she described the many different aspects which inspired the meet cute in her most recent release Anatomy of a Meet Cute. We also shared our Good Samaritan stories, her interesting background in opera and public policy, obstetric and health care disparity research, the ice cream scene in San Francisco. Finally, we talked about consent in romance, and making a move to write in teen romance.Links discussed:Fearing the Black Body*** WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true is here!Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

This is episode 71 of the Stories to Love Podcast. Here with me today is Nicole J. Persun, writing as Jennifer Gold.Nicole J. Persun is an award-winning author who has written and published in multiple genres, most notably book club fiction under the pen name Jennifer Gold. The Ingredients of Us was a 2020 Book Excellence Award Winner and a two-time finalist for the 2020 International Book Award. Keep Me Afloat received five award recognitions, including a Chanticleer International Book Award Somerset First Place honor. Her latest novel, Halfway to You, was an Amazon First Reads selection for March. Nicole loves open water swimming and fills her spare time with books, travel, and coffee. Learn more at nicolejpersun.com. Discover her recent novels at jennifergoldauthor.com.In this episode we talk about her most recent release, HALFWAY TO YOU, which is a forty-year love story, her dry spell and a trip to Tahiti that spurned this book, how she prepared the first draft of this book, her amazing first line in HALFWAY TO YOU, flaws in characters, and what makes them redeemable. Links Big Magic by Elizabeth GilbertThe View was Exhausting Michaela Clemens and Julie DadaThe Beautiful Ones from Silvia Garcia*** WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true is here!Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 70 is Mae Coyiuto.Mae Coyiuto is a Chinese-Filipino writer, born and raised in the Philippines. Mae earned her BA in Psychology from Pomona College and her master's degree in Writing for Young Adults/Children from The New School. If she's not writing, she's usually fangirling over Beyoncé, tennis, Gilmore Girls, or all of the above. She currently lives in Manila.In this episode, we discussed her most recent release Chloe and the Kaishao Boys. How this book came from an assignment from grad school and that it's the first book she'd written with a Chinese-filipino main character. We talked about her own debutante party or debut, and the pressures of senior year.  We also discussed writing nuanced characters and perspectives as well as her journey to being published internationally.Links:Maritkit and the Ocean of Stars Caris Avendano CruzThis Time It's Real by Ann LiangIf You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang*** WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true is here!Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 69 is Boo WalkerBestselling author Boo Walker initially tapped his creative muse as a songwriter and banjoist in Nashville before working his way west to Washington State, where he bought a gentleman's farm on the Yakima River. It was there amongst the grapevines and wine barrels that he fell in love with telling high-impact stories that now resonate with book clubs around the world. Rich with colorful characters and boundless soul, his novels will leave you with an open heart and a lifted spirit.Always a wanderer, Boo currently lives in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, with his wife and son. He also writes thrillers under the pen name Benjamin Blackmore. You can find him at boowalker.com and benjaminblackmore.com.In this episode, we talked about his research and time in Spain during the quarantine, the experience of writing a location that he's not native to, and the health benefits of good olive oil. We also discussed his nomadic life, his journey as a musician to writer and meeting his dark night of the soul. We also delved into how to describe his fiction, the intensity of deadlines, and challenging oneself as an author.Links discussedOliveoillovers.comIntuitive Editing by Tiffany Yates MartinThe Nightingale We Begin at the End by Chris WhitackerAsk Again, YesStation Eleven War of Art*** WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true is here!Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 68 of the Stories to Love Podcast is with Amy Impellizzeri.Amy Impellizzeri is a reformed corporate litigator, former start-up executive, award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction, and host of the Speak Studio original podcast, I KNOW HOW THIS (BOOK) ENDS. Amy's novels have earned awards and recognition including INDIEFAB Book of the Year awards, the inaugural Francis Ford Coppola Books & Bottles Pick, National Indie Excellence Awards and more. New York Times Bestselling Author, Kristy Woodson Harvey calls her "a standout in the fiction world." Kirkus Reviews (in a Starred Review) compared Amy's latest legal fiction series to Big Little Lies with “crackling courtroom drama." Amy is also the author of LAWYER INTERRUPTED (published by the American Bar Association) and co-author of the newly available HOW TO LEAVE THE LAW, featured in Bloomberg Law, Boston Business Journal and more. New York Times Bestselling Author, Marie Benedict calls HOW TO LEAVE THE LAW "a wise and invaluable guide to lawyers." Amy is a Tall Poppy Writer, a past President of the Women's Fiction Writer's Association, a 2018 Writer-In-Residence at Ms-JD.org, recipient of Ms. JD's Road Less Traveled Award, faculty member in Drexel University's MFA in Creative Writing Program, and a frequently invited speaker at legal conferences and writing workshops. Connect with Amy at www.amyimpellizzeri.com.In this episode we discussed Amy's journey in writing the first two books on of her River's Edge Law Club world and choosing which to publish first, how the first two books were received in this move into legal fiction. We also talked about mentorship in male-dominated industries, and Amy pulled back a little bit of the curtain about the balance of power in law.Links This Bird has Flown by Susanna HoffsThis is Not a Personal Statement by Tracy BaduaHello Beautiful by Anne NapolitanoThe Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true is here!Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 67 is a minisode about how to handle deadlines and life with routines. After my last minisode, I was asked what my routines looked like, and thought that this was a perfect time to chat about it. I am under deadline at the recording of this episode, and I'm leaning more of my routines than ever before. So, in this episode, I'm going to share my actual routines and how it has changed over time, and how it helps me, more often than not, start my day on a better foot. Before we head on over though, I wanted to mention that my upcoming novel, When Jasmine Blooms, is up for preorder! It's up on every retailer, and I've linked it in the show notes. It releases on April 11, 2023, and is a what-if story inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a grieving woman who wonders ‘what if' and that scenario is realized. Links described:Hobonichi I use for my journal ***Preorder Tif's next book WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true.Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 66 is up! Our guest is Paulette Kennedy.Originally from the Ozarks, Paulette Kennedy now lives in a quiet suburb of Los Angeles with her family and a menagerie of rescue pets. When she isn't writing, she enjoys tending to her garden, knitting, and finding unique vintage treasures at thrift stores and flea markets. As a history lover, she can get lost for days in her research—learning everything she can about the places in her stories and what her characters might have experienced in the past. Paulette's current release is THE WITCH OF TIN MOUNTAIN, a witchy southern gothic set in rural Northern Arkansas during the Great Depression. In this episode we discussed the myriad of inspirations for her most recent release, THE WITCH OF TIN MOUNTAIN, to include her father, who lived through the Great Depression; how she managed writing three different timelines and the crossover of some those characters. We discussed her research to include her own genealogy and oral storytelling in the Ozarks and Appalachia, and the pervasive issues she covered which occurred over a hundred years.I want to thank all of who have subscribed to this podcast! If you haven't, I'd love it if you'd click to follow so you can get notifications of every new episode. And, if have found this podcast helpful and fun, please leave a rating and review—it really helps to boost discoverability. You can even share this episode with a friend. For more information about me, Tif, and submitting to the podcast, please head on to my website, at TifMarcelo.comLinks discussedMarvelous by Marley GreeleySing Our Bones Eternal by Kacey RayburnPaper Doll Lina Robyn Lucas***Preorder Tif's next book WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true.Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 65 of the Stories to Love podcast is with Leni Kauffman.Leni Kauffman is a Japanese-American illustrator who lives in Lisbon. Leni was born in Tokyo, and grew up in the UK. Her illustration work is inspired by her childhood growing up in Tokyo, nature, and travelling whenever she can.  Her illustrations are used in editorials and book covers, and she specializes in romance book covers. She works mostly digitally, but also enjoys working with traditional mediums such as gouache and watercolors.Through her illustrations she likes to explore narrative, inclusivity, nature, diversity, fashion, food, and travel.In this episode we discussed her journey to become a professional artist, to include a pivot from fashion communication to graphic design, how one book swept her into the land of illustrating romantic book covers, and her process of collaborating with an author to illustrate a book cover. We also talked business: the pricing of work, scheduling her work and day, her little jungle of plants.Having Leni on the podcast was amazing. I am a major fan of her work! You will hear how lovely she is, and it was just so nice to be in her presence (albeit virtually) for a few minutes. Book covers are so important—the idea that a book is judged by its cover is a very real thing. I have picked up books because they are illustrated so beautifully by Leni. I want to thank all of who have subscribed to this podcast! If you haven't, I'd love it if you'd click to follow so you can get notifications of every new episode. And, if have found this podcast helpful and fun, please leave a rating and review—it really helps to boost discoverability. You can even share this episode with a friend. For more information about me, Tif, and submitting to the podcast, please head on to my website, at TifMarcelo.comLinks:Episode 13Tokyo Zodiac murders***Preorder Tif's next book WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true.Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

It's a minisode for episode 64 of a Story to Love podcast. This episode will cover my tips to write the first draft, in vibes.So, I finished the first draft of my first book in my forthcoming Harlequin series that's coming out in 2024. It was, as usual at times such a freeing exercise, and then crippling. There were moments in which I was in that zone of writing in which I don't feel the time pass, and then there were those times when I watched my Study Bunny timer click by in desperate molasses slow seconds.But, I made it through! I'm deep in first round revisions now, and over the pain of that first draft. I have received quite a few questions on how I draft, so I thought I'd share some tips on how to write that first draft, but in vibes. We're all so different in our process, in our writing and are surrounded by writers all in their different journeys, but I hope the vibe in my tips can help you out.Before we head on over though, I wanted to mention that my upcoming novel, When Jasmine Blooms, is up for preorder! It's up on every retailer, and I've linked it in the show notes. It releases on April 11, 2023, and is a what-if story inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a grieving woman who wonders ‘what if' and that scenario is realized. For my readers out there, bring out the tissues. Also, know that this is a contemporary fiction novel, not contemporary romance! Now, there is still a marriage romance in this story, and the story ends in a hopeful tone, but it has threads of serious topics. I hope you love it. I hope you will be able to read my love for Marmee, Abigail Alcott, and mothers who have had to navigate grief in their lives. ***Preorder Tif's next book WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true.Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 63 is up! Here with me today is Suzy England.Suzy England fell in love with fiction the minute she picked up her first Judy Blume book in third grade. A retired elementary educator and native Texan, she lives in Houston with her husband. She's the proud mom of two adult children and dog mom to her Havanese, Ivy. Her books include THE WEEKEND (Silver Phoenix, 2019), PERFECT (The Wild Rose Press, 2023), LETTERS FOR LUCIEN (The Wild Rose Press, 2023) and CHASING MR. CROWN (available exclusively on global reading apps Wattpad and Yonder). When she's not writing Romcoms and Women's Fiction, Suzy is binge-watching British television, listening to true crime podcasts, planning her next travel adventure, or cheering for her alma-mater, The University of Texas at Austin. Suzy is thrilled to be a Tall Poppy Writer, Class of 2023.Find out more: www.suzyengland.comIn this episode we discussed Suzy's most recent novel PERFECT and how it's a story within a story, her journey from fan fiction and yahoo groups to Wattpad and becoming a novelist, and Perfect's journey from short story to novel length. We also discussed taking risks in her career, utilizing so many different story tools as a pantser or discovery writer. We also delved into characterization! Links discussed:Portrait of a Thief by Grace LeeVerity by Colleen HooverEmily Henry Beach ReadsThe Friendship Breakup by Annie Cathryn***Preorder Tif's next book WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true.Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 62 of the Stories to Love podcast is up! Here with me today is Gloria ChaoGloria Chao is an acclaimed author and screenwriter. Her novels include American Panda, Our Wayward Fate, Rent a Boyfriend, and When You Wish Upon a Lantern. Her award-winning books have received starred trade reviews; were Junior Library Guild, Indie Next List, YALSA Teens' Top 10, and Amelia Bloomer List selections; and were featured on the “Best of” lists of Seventeen, Bustle, Barnes & Noble, PopSugar, Paste Magazine, Booklist, Chicago Public Library, Bank Street, and more.After a brief detour as a dentist, she is now grateful to spend her days in fictional characters' heads instead of real people's mouths. When she's not writing, you can find her on the curling ice, where she and her husband are world-ranked in mixed doubles.Visit her tea-and-book-filled world at GloriaChao.wordpress.com and find her on Twitter and Instagram @GloriacChao.In this episode we discussed how Gloria set out to write a hopeful book in WHEN YOU WISH UPON A LANTERN balancing writing grief and hope. She talked about the sense of belonging while writing her small town setting. We dipped into her transition from health care to authoring, her involvement in NaNoWriMo writers board. And we even talked about her current hybrid system of drafting, and writing college stories within the YA space. Links discussed:First year Orientation - anthology This Time it's Real by Ann LiangIf You Could See the Sun by Ann LiangJulian Winters  - As You Walk On ByNever Vacation With Your Ex - Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka***Preorder Tif's next book WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true.Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Episode 61 of the Stories to Love podcast is up! Our guest today is Sadeqa Johnson.Sadeqa Johnson is the award-winning author of And Then There Was Me, Second House From the Corner, Love in a Carry-on Bag and Yellow Wife. Yellow Wife is a 2022 Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy finalist, a BCALA Literary Honoree, the Library of Virginia's Literary People's Choice Award winner, and a Barnes & Noble book club pick in paperback. Her other accolades include winning the National Book Club Conference Award, the Phillis Wheatley Book Award, and the USA Best Book Award for Best Fiction. She is a Kimbilio Fellow and teaches in the MFA program at Drexel University. Originally from Philadelphia, she currently lives near Richmond, Virginia, with her husband and three children.In this episode, Sadeqa and I discussed how she married family history and a loose YA idea to come up with The House of Eve. We talked about how she navigates history as an author and a second point of view in The House of Eve that begged to be unearthed. Finally we talked about the story within a story that nudged its way into the bookI loved this conversation with Sadeqa, and I took so much away from it, notably how intuitive she is. Her stories, her ideas, the way she pieces parts of The House of Eve together…she was open to these changes. She even had mentioned it with Yellow Wife…that that story chose her, and it was the catalyst that nudged her off the contemporary fiction path to historical fiction. It felt like so many aspects and features of The House of Eve chose her too. To me, this episode was a reminder to keep my ears and eyes up. Maybe heed those nudges. Perhaps not self-reject quite as quickly. And as a storyteller, listen to what our characters are trying to say. At the moment, I'm editing my first book in my Harlequin series coming out spring of 2024, and re-listening to this conversation came at a perfect time. Links discussed:Our Kind of People by Lawrence Otis GrahamDorthy Porter Gladys BentleyRiver Sing Me Home by Eleanor ShearerThe Pieces I Am ***Preorder Tif's next book WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true.Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

This is episode 60 of the Stories to Love podcast. Here with me today is Tracy BaduaTracy Badua is a Filipino American author of books about young people with sunny hearts in a sometimes stormy world. By day, she is an attorney who works in national housing policy and programs, and by night, she squeezes in writing, family time, and bites of her secret candy stash. She lives in San Diego, California, with her family.In this episode we talked about how this story had its own trajectory that required for her to dig a little deeper. We discussed hypercompetive schools, the concept of utang ng loob, the importance of diverse books, and what Perla, the protagonist in this novel, is doing now. As a note, This is Not a Personal Statement is a Harper Collins title, and currently there is a strike going on by the Harper Collins Union for fair wages, stronger diversity commitments, and union rights. As of the recording of this intro, the strike has been going on for 54 days. I support this union. Harper Collins has a responsibility to hire with fair contracts and as such, pay their employees fairly.To that, an additional disclaimer, I want mention that I was not paid for this episode, and it was me who sought this title to read in advance and to approach the author. Harper did not solicit in this instance. The Stories to Love is here to support authors and especially marginalized authors, and I am deliberate in making sure that I am showing support for both the collective good of the union as well as for the authors that need support for their books. Support the union here: https://linktr.ee/hcpunionLinks discussed:The Takeout by Tracy BaduaBloodmarked by Tracy Deonn***Preorder Tif's next book WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true.Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Hi everyone, this is Tif on the Stories to Love Podcast and this is episode 59. Here with me today is Amanda Huffman.Amanda is a military veteran who served in the Air Force for six years as a Civil Engineer who served on a combat deployment with the Army in Afghanistan. She traded in her combat boots for a diaper bag to stay home with her two boys and follow her husband's military career in the Space Force. Amanda is the host of the Women of the Military podcast. There she shares the stories of women who have served or are serving in the military. The podcast has over 200 episodes and over 100K downloads. Amanda is also an author and has published two books. Her first book, Women of the Military tells the stories of 28 military women who served in the military. Her second book, A Girl's Guide to Military Service is a guide for high school girls considering military service to help them build a strong foundation for their future career. She also works as a freelance writer and has been featured in a number of military publications including The War Horse, Military.com, Military Families Magazine, Clearance Jobs, Military Spouse Magazine, and more. In this episode we talked about her why in writing A Girls Guide to Military Service, her process in tackling the topics in this book in partnership with her editor, and how her military career started because of 9/11. We also talked about doing something to fulfill a need, and what she had wanted for herself, and her journey to military women's stories. Links discussed:A Wrinkle in Time***Preorder Tif's next book WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true.Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Hi everyone, this is Tif on the Stories to Love Podcast and this is episode 58. Here with me today is Camille Pagán.Camille Pagán is the #1 Amazon Charts and Washington Post bestselling author of 10 books about love, relationships, and making the most out of this wonderfully messy life. She's also a master certified coach who helps aspiring to established authors create even better careers, the host of the You Should Write a Book podcast, and the founder of Even Better Co. You can learn more about her at camillepagan.com and evenbetter.co.In this episode, Camille and I talk about her standing up for her book and her writing process, which is such gold! She also shares the path of her career from health journalist to novelist, to mentoring and coaching. And, of course, we discussed her most recent romance, Good For You.Links discussedJodi Picoult's Mad HoneyMaddie Dawson Snap Out of ItLisa Kleypas Devil in WinterCamille's Podcast: You should write a book***Preorder Tif's next book WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true.Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Happy 2023 from the Stories to Love podcast! I'm Tif Marcelo, your host! I wanted to be the first to greet you today in this New Year where everything feels fresh and possible. This will be a short episode to talk about resolutions and my words of the year, yes words, and how I'm setting up my year in my planner. I'm also going to touch on what my hopes are for this upcoming year, starting with self care, especially after a stint on burnout in 2022. I want to thank all of who have subscribed to this podcast! If you haven't, I'd love it if you'd click to follow so you can get notifications of every new episode. And, if have found this podcast helpful and fun, please leave a rating and review—it really helps to boost discoverability. For more information about me, Tif, and submitting to the podcast, please head on to my website, at TifMarcelo.comLinks:Heartbreathings HB90 programMy next book! - WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS***Preorder Tif's next book WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS, a contemporary fiction inspired by Marmee of Little Women, about a woman who suffers a great tragedy, wonders 'what if' and it comes true.Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Welcome to episode 56 of the Stories to Love podcast. It's just me and me today, as I do the wrap up of 2022. 2022 was a great year for the podcast! In this episode, I'm going to do a quick overview of who I interviewed, some things I learned, and small pivots I made during the year. Then, I'm going to announce some small changes for the podcast as we look into 2023I appreciate all who have subscribed! If you haven't, please do, and leave a rating when you can. If you'd like to support this podcast, please grab a book for you or a friend on my website at tifmarcelo.com. Happy Holidays, everyone! Note: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Welcome to episode 55 of the Stories to Love podcast. My guest today is author Victoria Schade.Victoria Schade has been a dog trainer and writer for over twenty years. During that time her dog duties have included working behind the scenes on Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl as the lead animal wrangler, appearing on two seasons of the Animal Planet show Faithful Friends, writing dog training content and appearing in educational videos for various pet-centric websites, and writing two dog training books in addition to her four novels. Her latest, DOG FRIENDLY, is a dog-centric beach read set on Nantucket.In this episode we discussed her most recent release, DOG FRIENDLY, a realistic truth about veterinarians, a right time right place romance, and finally her life as a dog trainer and nonfiction author.Victoria's episode is the last in-conversation for 2022, and it is the perfect end to a fantastic year! Victoria is always just to fun to hang out with. There will be, however, a wrap up episode toward the end of December.I appreciate all who have subscribed! If you haven't, please do, and leave a rating when you can. If you'd like to support this podcast, please grab a book for you or a friend on my website at tifmarcelo.com. Links discussed:LIFE ON THE LEASH mass marketBOOK LOVERS by Emily HenryTHE CALL OF THE WRENS by Jenni L. WalshNote: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Welcome to episode 54 of the Stories to Love podcast. My guest today is author Amy E. Reichert.Amy E. Reichert, author of six novels, loves to write stories that end well with characters you'd invite to dinner. Her writing has been called “Charming,” by People, a “Book you won't be able to put down,” by Cosmopolitan, “This will give you more fuzzy feelings than you can count,” by Redbook, and “Light, funny, and easily digestible…worthy of second helpings,” by Real Simple. Amy earned her MA in English Literature, honed her writing and editing skills as a technical writer for many years, and now serves on her library's board of directors. She's a wife, mom, amateur chef, volunteer baby snuggler, and cider enthusiast.In this episode, we talk about her most recent release, ONCE UPON A DECEMBER, and her world building of the Julemarked. Contemporary world building is so interesting to me, and you'll listen to me come right back to the details on how she created this magical Christmas market. We also talked about the journey of her writing that incorporated more and more magic, using food as part of the theme, and the challenge of writing a romance between two nice people.Amy and I have been friends for a long time, and I loved chatting with her. And, as a follow up—you will be glad to know that Amy has her Kringle recipe up on her website!I appreciate all who have subscribed! If you haven't, please do, and leave a rating when you can. If you'd like to support this podcast, please grab a book for you or a friend on my website at tifmarcelo.com. Links discussed:O&H bakery in RancineA Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra SimoneSteering the Craft Ursula K Le GuinThe Chosen Ones Veronica RothNote: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Welcome to the Stories to Love podcast. This is episode 53. My guest today is author Minnie Darke. Minnie Darke is the author of Star-crossed, The Lost Love Song, With Love from Wish & Co and the forthcoming Audible Original, Wild Apples. Her books are published in over 25 territories worldwide. A lover of books, writing, reading, Russian Caravan tea and freshly sharpened pencils, she lives in Tasmania, AustraliaMinnie and I are kindred spirits! What a fun conversation, and I know you're going to love Minnie and her most recent release With Love from Wish and Co. We talked extensively about gifts, gift wrapping, and intentional gifting. She let us in on something special about her acknowledgements, and we discussed being a human being and not a human doing. We also chatted about her other pen names, Danielle Wood and Angelica Banks, how she handles all the ideas that come to her, and how she tries to remain sensitized to the world.I appreciate all who have subscribed! If you haven't, please do, and leave a rating when you can. If you'd like to support this podcast, please grab a book for you or a friend on my website at tifmarcelo.com. Links discussed:The Artists Way by Julia CameronLessons in Chemistry by BonnieFairy Tale by Stephen KingOn Writing by Stephen King

Welcome to the Stories to Love podcast. This is episode 52. My guest today is author Suzanne Park. Suzanne Park is a Korean American writer who was born and raised in Tennessee.In her former life as a stand up comedian, Suzanne appeared on BET's "Coming to the Stage," was the winner of the Seattle Sierra Mist Comedy Competition, and was a semi-finalist in NBC's "Stand Up For Diversity" showcase in San Francisco.Suzanne graduated from Columbia University and received an MBA Degree from UCLA. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, female offspring, and a sneaky rat that creeps around on her back patio. In her spare time, she procrastinates. Her novels have been featured in “best of” lists in NPR, Popsugar, Real Simple, Country Living, Bustle, Buzzfeed, Marie Claire, Parade, Shondaland and The Today Show.In this episode we discussed her most recent work: The Christmas Clash. We discussed finding the inspiration of her book within her small town, the shades of grumpy and sunshine characters, the nuances of generations of immigrants and birth orders, the pressure of representation, and doing something new in each one of her books. We also talked about her time in stand up comedy.Suzanne and I had a fantastic conversation—my goodness, I laughed so much! I appreciate all who have subscribed! If you haven't, please do, and leave a rating when you can. If you'd like to support this podcast, please support the Patreon at patreon.com/tifmarcelo . My Patreon is where I'm adding more content, in the form of newsletters and extra episodes. Or, you can grab a book for you or a friend on my website at tifmarcelo.com. Links discussedGloria Chao's When you Wish Upon a LanternStephan Lee's K Pop RevolutionDustin Thao's You've Reached SamJeff Bishop's A Heavy dose of Allison Tandy

Welcome to the Stories to Love podcast. This is episode 51. My guest today is author Jennifer Bardsley. Jennifer Bardsley is the author of Sweet Bliss, Good Catch, The History of Us, and more. A graduate of Stanford University, she lives in Edmonds, Washington with her husband and two children. Jennifer's “I Brake for Moms” column has appeared in The Everett Herald every week since 2012. She also writes Young Adult Paranormal Romance under the pen name Louise Cypress. When she's not writing books, you can find Jennifer walking from her house to the beach every chance she gets.In this episode we discussed the atmospheric way she set The History of Us, her research into coin collecting, how memory inspired this book, about everyday drama in small town romance, her pseudonym, and her experience with transient global amnesia.Jennifer and I had such a great conversation, and we covered so much in this time together. I want to thank her for sharing her experience with amnesia and how it affected her and her work.I appreciate all who have subscribed! If you haven't, please do, and leave a rating when you can. If you'd like to support this podcast, please support the Patreon at patreon.com/tifmarcelo . My Patreon is where I'm adding more content, in the form of newsletters and extra episodes. Or, you can grab a book for you or a friend on my website at tifmarcelo.com. Links discussed:Elizabeth BriggsMichelle NotaroStirring Up Love by Chandra BlumbergShe's Up to Know Good by Sarah  Goodman ConfinoThe Witch of Tin Moutain*some links are affiliate links

Welcome again to the Stories to Love podcast and this is episode 50. My guest today is literary entrepreneur Angela Anderson. Angela Anderson aka the “Literary Midwife” is a literary and editorial services professional and CEO of Angela Anderson Presents. She has a deep passion for all things literary, marketing, and event planning. Angela founded the “Literary Café” as a place where authors and readers can connect and grow their reader-author bond through their love for the craft of the written word and books. Angela is the host of two amazing shows, Angela's Literary Café and Angela's Literary Tea. She is also one of the three hosts of the exhilarating weekly show, Fun Friday. In addition, she is a contributing writer for The Heat Seekers Magazine.In this episode we discussed how her career evolved to become a literary promoter and marketer, how she strives to be an advocate for diverse books, and her relationship mindset within the book businessThere is so much joy in this conversation—you can hear it in Angela's voice, and I know you'll love this episode!I appreciate all who have subscribed! If you haven't, please do, and leave a rating when you can. If you'd like to support this podcast, please support the Patreon at patreon.com/tifmarcelo . My Patreon is where I'm adding more content, in the form of newsletters and extra episodes. Or, you can grab a book for you or a friend on my website at tifmarcelo.com. Links discussed:Marilyn Anderson's BLACK PEARLAct like an Author, think like a business conferenceBY HER HOWN DESIGN by Piper HughleyHeat Seekers MagazineTHE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY by Brendan Slocumb*Some of these links are affiliate links*

Welcome again to the stories to love podcast and this is episode 49. My guest today is author Sandra Block. Sandra A. Block graduated from college at Harvard, then returned to her native land of Buffalo, New York for medical training and never left. She is a practicing neurologist and proud Sabres fan, and lives at home with her husband, two children, and impetuous yellow lab.  Her work has been published in the Washington Post.  Little Black Lies is her debut, a finalist in the International Thriller Awards, and The Girl Without a Name and The Secret Room are the other books in the Zoe Goldman series, and What Happened That Night  her stand-a-lone. Girl Overboard is her first Young Adult thriller.In this episode, we discussed pitching Girl Overboard, her first YA book. We also talked about closed door mysteries, cruise ships, choosing her next project, and her day job as a neurologist.I appreciate all who have subscribed! If you haven't, please do, and leave a rating when you can. If you'd like to support this podcast, please support the Patreon at patreon.com/tifmarcelo . My Patreon is where I'm adding more content, in the form of newsletters and extra episodes. Or, you can grab a book for you or a friend on my website at tifmarcelo.com. Links discussedChevy Stevens's  Dark RoadsThe Admissions by Meg Mitchell Moore

Welcome again to the stories to love podcast and this is episode 48. My guest today is author Robyn Lucas. Today is September 5, 2022Robyn Lucas has always been a storyteller. Being the middle child will do that.After finding her way to Atlanta, GA by way of Hawaii, USVI, Miami, and South Carolina, Robyn Lucas developed a successful career in communications and marketing. Her background came in handy when her teenagers developed an award-winning mental health app which boasts over 100,000 downloads.                                     When Robyn is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her teens, marathoning (watching TV, not running), reading, and snuggling with her dog, Trooper.In this episode, Robyn and I discussed pouring your heart into your writing, writing from her own experience and separating it with fiction, and her journey into publishing her debut Paper Doll Lina.This was a vulnerable conversation and I thank Robyn for sharing her own life experience, where we discussed domestic abuse and mental health. I think that you'll be able to hear how much both craft and life experience she brought to her book as well as to this episode.I appreciate all who have subscribed! If you haven't, please do, and leave a rating when you can. If you'd like to support this podcast, please support the Patreon at patreon.com/tifmarcelo . My Patreon is where I'm adding more content, in the form of newsletters and extra episodes. Or, you can grab a book for you or a friend on my website at tifmarcelo.com. And here we go to my in conversation with Robyn Lucas.Links discussed:notOK appMaybe She'll StayReel By Kennedy RyanWe Lie Here by Rachel Howzel HallThe School of Good Mothers*some of these like are affiliate links

Welcome to episode 47 of the Stories to Love podcast. Today's guest is author Susan Crispell. Susan Bishop Crispell earned a BFA in creative writing from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Born and raised in the mountains of Tennessee, she now lives twenty minutes from the beach in North Carolina with her husband and their two cats, Whisky and Peat. She is very fond of baked goods and is always on the lookout for hints of magic in the real world. Susan is the author of women's fiction novels The Secret Ingredient of Wishes (Sep 2016, Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press) and Dreaming in Chocolate (Feb 2018, St. Martin's Griffin), which was selected as a SIBA Okra pick Winter 2018, and the young adult novel The Holloway Girls (June 2022, Sourcebooks Fire).In this episode, Susan and I chat about the power of the kiss, of choosing who to kiss and when, inaction vs. action, and her move into YA fiction. We also recapped her amazing writer's retreat in a castle, and shared our good luck charms.I appreciate all who have subscribed! If you haven't, please do, and leave a rating when you can. If you'd like to support this podcast, please support the Patreon at patreon.com/tifmarcelo . My Patreon is where I'm adding more content, in the form of newsletters and extra episodes. Or, you can grab a book for you or a friend on my website at tifmarcelo.com. Listen on your favorite podcatcher or at storiestolovepodcast.comLinks discussed in the espisode:Spells for Forgetting Adrienne YoungNature of Witches Rachel Griffin

Episode 46  is with Mia Hopkins!Mia Hopkins writes lush romances starring fun, sexy characters who love to get down and dirty. Her award-winning books have been featured by many publications including The Washington Post, USA Today and Entertainment Weekly. She lives in Los Angeles with her family.In this episode, we talked about her most recent work, Tanked, which is the 3rd book in the Eastside brewery series. We discussed writing an age-gap romance, writing a book that's set in the pandemic, and her research.I loved chatting with Mia! Not only are her books amazing, but I think you'll see that in addition to that, that she is a thoughtful and empathetic person. I was lucky enough to see her back in May, in person, with other Filipino-American authors when we visited Word Bookstores in NY and Love Sweet Arrow in the Chicago area.As part of content guidance, we did discuss COVID 19, miscarriage and infertility. There is a lot of vulnerability in this episode and I thank Mia for sharing a part of herself and her thoughts.It's been a while since my last podcast episode! My summer was eventful in the best of ways, and I was able to achieve some much needed rest. I've got some episodes lined up and I'm so excited to introduce to some of my guests!I do have an announcement! I've started a Patreon for the podcast! I've received questions as to how folks could support and thought that this would be the best way. The Patreon will also be a vehicle to provide more content to those in the upper tiers! I hope you consider supporting the podcast and thank you! Oh, the Patreon address is patreon.com/tifmarceloLinks discussed:Shelf Love PodcastHomeboy industriesSeven Days in JuneEternity Street

Welcome to episode 45 of the Stories to Love podcast and here with me today is Chandra Blumberg.Chandra Blumberg writes funny, heartwarming love stories about characters that feel real and relatable. Born and raised in Michigan, Chandra moved to the Chicago area after majoring in English at Michigan State University. When she's not writing, she enjoys lifting heavy barbells at the gym, making a mess of the kitchen while baking alongside her four kids, and traveling with her family. Her contemporary romance debut Digging Up Love came out earlier this year, and the second book in the series, Stirring Up Love, will be released in July.In this episode we discussed her debut DIGGING UP LOVE which came out January 1 of this year, her dinosaur research, her mom-oir, and writing unapologetically muscular women in romance.Links discussed:Denise Williams's The Fastest Way to FallSarah Hogle's  Twice Shy

Welcome to episode 44 of the Stories to Love podcast and here with me today is Sarah Smith.Sarah Smith is a copywriter-turned-author who wants to make the world a lovelier place, one kissing story at a time. Her love of romance began when she was eight and she discovered her auntie's stash of romance novels. She's been hooked ever since. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking, eating chocolate, and perfecting her lumpia recipe. She lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband and adorable cat Salem.I'm so excited to have Sarah on the podcast today as part of the April 5 release day blitz. I have a book release today—KNOW YOU BY HEART which is a contemporary romance, and she's one of my author friends who released a book at the same time I as did! Her new release is  called  THE CLOSE UP. In this episode, we discussed our shared love of San Francisco, all the places she's written about, her pen names, the different publishers she's writing for, how she manages her writing time, and the tropes she writes. Links discussed:Rosanna Leo's A RELUCTANT ATTRACTION*some links are affiliate links