Podcast appearances and mentions of trixie belden

Send us a textLisa and Amy start a new Trixie Belden book: The Mystery of the Queen's Necklace. The BWGs (minus Brian, Dan, and Di) travel to England in search of answers about Honey's inherited necklace. While in London, Trixie feels like she's facing discrimination as an American. The group goes to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, and the Bob-White whistle is necessary in the Chamber of Horrors.Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!     

Send us a textLisa and Amy explore the final two chapters of Trixie Belden & The Mystery at Mead's Mountain in this episode. Trixie, Honey & Jim catch the kidnappers, a dangerous rescue mission is undertaken, and everyone rings in the New Year! It's an action-packed episode, that will make you wonder what the author was thinking! In Lisa's ender, it's time for an entertaining Doll Party from the Junior Party Book by Bernice Wells Carlson.Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!     

Send us a textLisa and Amy continue their exploration of Trixie Belden & The Mystery at Mead's Mountain. After being captured by the man in the cabin, Trixie and Honey offer to help him recover his kidnapped daughter. Jim brawls with a very dangerous man.Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!     

Send us a textLisa and Amy continue exploring Trixie Belden and The Mystery at Mead's Mountain. Dr. Brian treats Mr. Moonshine's skiing injury, young Rosie exhibits kleptomaniacal tendencies, and Trixie and Honey set out on a risky secret mission.Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!     

Send us a textLisa and Amy continue their exploration of Trixie Belden and The Mystery at Mead's Mountain. Mart miraculously recovers from his harrowing escape from an avalanche. Trixie and Honey find themselves unwelcome at the cabin in the woods. Plans to dine at a vegetarian restaurant disappoint Mart, and Jenzzles are now available for purchase.Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!     

Sharon McQuaid's journey from a Texas classroom to the enchanting streets of Paris is nothing short of inspirational. As a former educator, Sharon bravely transitioned during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving behind systemic issues and micromanagement to embrace a life of adventure and mystery. Her story, fueled by the spirit of characters like Trixie Belden, captures the essence of following one's dreams and finding joy in unexpected places along the East Coast. With AmeriCorps and supportive friends lighting her path, Sharon's tale proves that passion and perseverance can lead to newfound fulfillment.In the heart of this episode, listeners will find Sharon reflecting on her solo travels in Paris, which were both challenging and transformative. Recounting her personal anecdotes, she unveils how revisiting familiar destinations can lead to profound self-discovery and growth. The discussion also touches on the unique experiences of walking the Camino, highlighting the distinct dynamics and insights gained from traveling solo compared to group adventures. Sharon's journey is a testament to the magic of revisiting places with a fresh perspective and the confidence that comes with it.For those eager to explore the world on their own, Sharon shares invaluable safety tips and budget-friendly travel options. From the comfort of hometown hotels to the thrills of international escapades, she provides a roadmap for solo travel enthusiasts, including advice on staying connected and secure. The episode rounds off with an exciting invitation for women to apply for a free travel coaching program aimed at empowering and healing past traumas. As Sharon prepares for her next adventure to the Canary Islands and Portugal, she leaves us with the compelling message that adventure knows no bounds.Follow Sharon through her blog:https://souladventurersmindfulmoments.blogspot.com/2024/10/how-it-all-began.htmlInstagram @soul_adventure_mindful_momentsAPPLY FOR FREE TRAVEL COACHING:https://forms.gle/ZppYxxgqjEpKCUqR9Facebook community: Solo Travel for Women Over 50Send me a message or share your solo travel story with me.https://www.speakpipe.com/SoloTravelAdventuresLeave a review:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/solo-travel-adventures-safe-travel-for-women-preparing-for-a-trip-overcoming-fear-travel-tips/id1650161410

In this episode, Lisa and Amy continue their exploration of The Mystery at Mead's Mountain. Things take a deadly turn at the ski lodge when Mart gets caught in an avalanche, but there's no need to alert any adults—The BWGs and Dr. Brian are handling it.Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!      

Carole O'Neill's guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Christine Gunderson, author of the book Friends with Secrets, which is Christine's debut novel. She wrote Friends with Secrets in her minivan in the school pick up line, at piano lessons, during drama rehearsals, at swim team practice, basketball practice, crew practice, and in lots of other unglamourous and uncomfortable places where only a parent who writes would write. Like all writers, she started life as a reader. She was born and raised on a fourth-generation family farm in rural North Dakota where she devoured Laura Ingalls Wilder books in her very own little house on the prairie. She also burned holes in her chenille bedspread while attempting to read Trixie Belden books under the covers when she was supposed to be asleep. During these formative years growing up on the farm, she learned to haul grain, drive a combine, and pick rocks, skills that have yet to be useful later in life. Growing up on the prairie fifty miles from the nearest McDonalds has also given her an aversion to trees, and lifelong craving for wide open spaces. She eventually left the farm to attend college and seek her fortune. She pursued the kind of jobs where one gets paid to talk and write and no one cares that she failed algebra. She worked as television anchor and reporter and a Capitol Hill press secretary, then left it all behind to stay home with her children, where algebra continues to baffle her all these years later. She currently lives in the Washington D.C. suburbs with her three children, Star the Wonder Dog, and a very patient husband. When not writing, she is sailing the Chesapeake Bay with her family, playing Star Wars monopoly, re-reading Jane Austen novels or unloading the dishwasher. In Carole's book review, she stated that women have often been told, “You can have it all - just not at the same time.” Christine proves that theory wrong in her debut novel, Friends with Secrets. Nikki and Ainsley are two modern women on opposite ends of the motherhood spectrum. Nikki has just been told she's been replaced at her television station as their anchor, while she spends most of her maternity leave struggling to convince her newborn son that her breast milk will really satisfy him, while her three older children destroy the aisles of the grocery store playing baby food pong down aisle five. Ainsley has no problem convincing her children of anything because she has the help of a nanny, housekeeper, cook, clothing designer and a husband with more money than God, who is running for congress. How these two women become a force to reckon with is what keeps you laughing out loud from the beginning. The secrets they share require the skills of both women to unravel. When they discover a way to expose the truth of Ainsley's past life that threatens her husband's future, you can't turn the pages fast enough to find out if they're right. Gunderson's research comes from her real-life experience in television, proving you can balance motherhood, friendship, and career. This novel is a must read. Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1 Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290 You can follow Author Christine Gunderson Website: https://christinegunderson.com/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/47221896.Christine_Gunderson IG: @gunderchristine FB: @christine.i.gunderson X: @GunderChristine LinkedIn: @Christine-Gunderson-b1274a315   Purchase Friends with Secrets on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/3Xv54zd Ebook: https://amzn.to/3zrvU3g   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   #christinegunderson #friendswithsecrets #familyfiction #contemporaryfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

In this episode, Lisa and Amy continue their exploration of The Mystery at Mead's Mountain. The BWGs make the most of their time by having a snowball fight in the swimming pool and taking a ski lesson. Trixie's detective instincts kick in when the BWGs get locked out, a staff member loses money, and Honey's watch vanishes.Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcOur mailing address is:        Books From the Basement                                                 9705 45th Avenue North                                                 #41954                                                 Plymouth, MN 55442-2566If you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!     

Happy Monday, Fabulous Listener! Hope you are doing incredible on this fun summer night. This evening, I'm pleased to have the amazing Ms. Jeni Stand with us, chatting about her debut book, Mad Money and Murder. This is a fun cross over of cozy mystery with a touch of paranormal. Jenni Stand is achieving her lifelong dream of becoming a published author. She was born and raised on Prince Edward Island in Canada, and she now lives in Texas with her husband, daughter, and slightly spastic dog. She has always wanted to be a writer, partially due to being surrounded by everything connected with Anne of Green Gables and Lucy Maud Montgomery and partially due to her love of reading. Growing up, she always had her nose in a mystery book, whether it was Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys or Trixie Belden. After years of trying to write a book without success, Jenni was one of the earliest students of Ellie Alexander's Mystery Writing Masterclass. Since joining, Jenni wrote her first book, “Mad Money & Murder: A Pond Investigations Mystery”. She is currently revising the second book in the series titled “Death is in the Cards”, to be released in 2025. She is an Affiliate Member of the Mystery Writers of America. Make sure to check out Jenni's website to learn more about her books and all the fun things she has coming out https://www.jennistand.com. Thank you for joining us this evening. Always a pleasure bringing you new books from incredible authors. If you are enjoying the podcast and would like to stay in touch, subscribe. You don't want to miss a single episode. Happy Listening, DC

It's time for another new Trixie Belden! Lisa and Amy delve into The Mystery at Mead's Mountain in this episode. The BWGs visit Vermont on a mission to assess a ski resort for Mr. Wheeler. When they arrive at the lodge, a combination of both suspicious and unassuming people greet them. The mystery kicks off when they find out, much to their surprise, that someone has already vandalized their room. Also, Dan can't go, Di does go and Trixie assumes the role of a pilot (gulp).Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasementJoin our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcOur mailing address is:         Books From the Basement                                                            9705 45th Avenue North                                                            #41954                                                            Plymouth, MN 55442-2566If you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!     

Lisa and Amy finish off The Mystery of the Castaway Children with a lively discussion. Even though the case may be solved, there are still many unanswered questions! The main one is: If no one kidnaps anyone, can there still be a kidnapping?Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcOur mailing address is:         Books From the Basement                                                 9705 45th Avenue North                                                 #41954                                                 Plymouth, MN 55442-2566If you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!     

In this episode, Lisa & Amy discuss the next few chapters of The Mystery of the Castaway Children. Trixie and Honey find more clues than they know what to do with as they continue their quest to solve the mystery of Davy's disappearance. Maybe a goat named Nancy is the key to everything… tune in to learn more!Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcOur mailing address is:         Books From the Basement                                                 9705 45th Avenue North                                                 #41954                                                 Plymouth, MN 55442-2566If you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!    

In this episode, Lisa & Amy continue their convoluted journey into The Mystery of the Castaway Children. Trixie competes with Sgt. Molinson over clue discoveries, Di becomes the abandoned baby's live-in nanny at Crabapple Farm and baby Moses (now Dodgy) is reunited with his parents. Plus, Trixie misplaces an important clue and Molinson actually enlists the help of the Belden-Wheeler Detective Agency to solve his case.Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcOur mailing address is:         Books From the Basement                                                 9705 45th Avenue North                                                 #41954                                                 Plymouth, MN 55442-2566If you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!     

Lisa and Amy kick off a new Trixie Belden book in this episode. The Mystery of the Castaway Children has them scratching their heads as they figure out what they need to know and what's just extra fluff. There's an abandoned baby in Reddy's doghouse, and everyone fights over who gets to feed him. The BWGs name the poor little boy Moses Bob-White. The Beldens agree to foster the child, as Trixie and Honey (in coordination with Molinson) get on the case of locating his parents.Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcOur mailing address is:         Books From the Basement                                                 9705 45th Avenue North                                                 #41954                                                 Plymouth, MN 55442-2566If you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!     

In this episode, Amy & Lisa finally finish up The Mystery Off Old Telegraph Road. Bobby locks himself inside the house (and everyone else outside); Trixie gets herself into a sorry spot with the counterfeiters; Nick sort of saves the day, and the bikeathon is a success!Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasementJoin our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcOur mailing address is:         Books From the Basement                                                            9705 45th Avenue North                                                            #41954                                                            Plymouth, MN 55442-2566If you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!    

Amy and Lisa tick off another four chapters of The MysteryOff Old Telegraph Road.  Somebody doesn't want the BWG's bike-a-thon to happen. Once Di Lynch's bike tires are slashed, Mr. Maypenny's game cart is destroyed, and Honey & Mrs. Vanderpoel receive threatening phone calls, the gang must consider if the fundraiser is worth the danger. Heads up: Sargeant Molinson doesn't think so...Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcOur mailing address is:         Books From the Basement                                                             9705 45th Avenue North                                                             #41954                                                             Plymouth, MN 55442-2566If you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!     

In this episode, Lisa and Amy work their way through three more chapters of The Mystery Off Old Telegraph Road. The BWGs work to get the word out about the bike-a-thon while Nick Roberts and Ben Riker do their best to place obstacles in their path.Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasementJoin our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcOur mailing address is:         Books From the Basement                                                            9705 45th Avenue North                                                            #41954                                                            Plymouth, MN 55442-2566If you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!     

In this episode, Lisa and Amy work their way through three more chapters of The Mystery Off Old Telegraph Road. The BWGs go into high gear as they plan the bike-a-thon fundraiser, but Ben Riker and Nick (the artist) are doing what they can to stand in the way. Also, Trixie and Honey are in a major junior high throwdown, revealing Trixie's insecurity in their relationship.In her ender, Lisa treats you to a “Slumber Party” courtesy of the Frankel's book Unusual Party Ideas and Games.Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcOur mailing address is:          Books From the Basement                                                            9705 45th Avenue North                                                            #41954                                                            Plymouth, MN 55442-2566If you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!     

It's time for Lisa and Amy to start another Trixie Belden Book! What's in the queue? The Secret Off Old Telegraph Road. School's almost out for the summer (again) and the BWGs want to help the art department with some well-needed supplies. Unfortunately, it looks like the return of Ben Riker, who is hanging around with the “bad boys” at Sleepyside Junior-Senior High, may throw a wrench into the club's plan to host a bike-a-thon fundraiser!To celebrate Thanksgiving, Lisa treats you to a “Turkey Trot” party courtesy of the Frankel's book Unusual Party Ideas and Games.Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcOur mailing address is:                    Books From the Basement                                                            9705 45th Avenue North                                                            #41954                                                            Plymouth, MN 55442-2566If you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!     

In this episode, Lisa and Amy finish their analysis of The Secret of the Unseen Treasure. Despite this four-part series, many unanswered questions remain. Lisa and Amy make every effort to decipher all of it, but sometimes there are simply no answers. Toss some illegal drugs into a BWG mystery and everything goes a little bananas!In her ender, Lisa follows up her Halloween episode with a list of interesting things that can go wrong in a haunted attraction!Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcOur mailing address is:                    Books From the Basement                                                            9705 45th Avenue North                                                            #41954                                                            Plymouth, MN 55442-2566If you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!     

In part three of The Secret of the Unseen Treasure, Lisa and Amy wade their way through two more chapters. The BWGs carry out a midnight covert operation. Honey becomes an activist and finds her voice. Poor Brian has lost his botanical skills. Also, who is growing marijuana in Mrs. Elliot's cornfield?In her ender, Lisa breaks out another overtly politically incorrect party. The theme is Daniel Boone, so prepare for the unconscionable antics of the American frontiersman. The source is The Junior Party Book by Bernice Wells Carlson.Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcOur mailing address is:        Books From the Basement                                                           9705 45th Avenue North                                                           #41954                                                           Plymouth, MN 55442-2566If you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!     

In this episode, Lisa and Amy take you through the next few chapters of The Secret of the Unseen Treasure. Another mystery arises as Trixie and the gang continue investigating the stolen social security checks. Someone has sabotaged Mrs. Elliot's water pump! A few questions that Lisa and Amy address: Why is Mr. Belden spilling even more confidential bank information? Does Bobby need to get cleaned up every time he gets dirty? Do we really need to know so much about water pumps? And, most importantly to Lisa, why is lemonade mentioned so many times?It's Amy's birthday, and Lisa treats her to all her favorite enders. There are recipes for a hor d'oeuvre birthday cake and some yummy gelatin aspics. Of course, it wouldn't be a birthday without a party, so Lisa tacks on a Sock Hop party from Unusual Party Ideas and Games by the Frankels!Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the "listen on Apple podcast" button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!      

Books From the Basement is premiering it's third season and Trixie Belden is helping to start it off right! We know you've been waiting a LONG time for another Trixie and this one won't disappoint. In this episode Lisa and Amy take you through the first few chapters of The Secret of the Unseen Treasure. Social Security checks have gone missing, and Trixie is on the case. The BWGs and all the regulars are present for this one. Sgt. Molinson is crabby, Dan is moody, Di is confused, Mart is annoying, Jim is in charge and Brian is stoic. Even Reddy and Patch make cameo appearances! Also, Bobby can talk! So sit back and relax while you reconnect with all your favorite folks from Sleepyside.Aloha! In Lisa's ender, it's time for a traditional luau party from a new (old) party book! You'll learn a short history of the Hawaiian luau before Lisa dives into a 1958 version from Games and Fun for Parties by Sylvia Mager.Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps us get the word out about the podcast! I You can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!             

  Were you looking for sound medical advice to treat snakebites and rabies? Well, we do not recommend consulting Trixie Belden #1: The Secret of the Mansion by Julie Campbell for first aid training. However, we had a great time … Continue reading →

Kelly DeVos is the author of 5 young adult novels. She has a remarkable gift for tapping into the fears and insecurities of teenagers, but it's the dark side of her characters that really shines. The young women who are her main characters are determined, saucy and smart- mouthed. It's hard not to see your younger self in the pages of her novels. In this episode, we talk about strong YA characters, her journey to publication and the not always nice feedback. Visit Kelly's website. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram. STICKERS!!!! Learn more about Trixie Belden. Visit the host, Dana Goldstein's, website. Support the podcast on Patreon.

Thanks for tuning in to the Activated Authors podcast. If you're ready to ACTIVATE your author career, head on over to https://activatedauthors.com/   Renee Gallant spent the biggest part of her childhood growing up in north Texas, hiding behind bushes or sitting in trees immersed in stories of mystery and adventure and scratching out her own Trixie Belden fan fiction. But it was only after reaching middle age, having an empty nest, and being bitten by a creepy little eight-legged foe that she thought to pick up pen and paper once more and lose herself in a fictional world where anything was possible. Unfortunately, no, she did not turn into Spiderman. Nor even The Tick, but instead became an advocate for auto-immune sufferers, a grandmother, and finally a published author. After a twenty-year hiatus where she was all things to all people, Renee Gallant switched her focus back to herself and her first love, words. In this episode we go deep into:   Renee's writing journey [03:39] Lessons learnt from early writing [09:20] Motherhood and creativity [10:50] The importance of finishing things [14:57] Owning her own business [17:14] Digging out of the pit [23:10] The benefits of being in a writers community [26:22] The work of an indie [29:42] Lessons from the first three books [35:16] Coming out of burnout [38:09] Breaking free of guilt [40:17] Living with Lyme disease [42:53] Why Renee writes [52:31]   Find out more about Renee Gallant: http://reneegallant.com/ Social Media: @thewriterenee   Get more from Activated Authors! https://activatedauthors.com/   Watch the Show: https://youtu.be/BFr58jVyI0I   Find out more about Daniel Willcocks https://www.danielwillcocks.com/   Special thanks to: Show theme: Karl Hughes Show editing: Sam Frost

In this extra-long episode, Lisa and Amy dig into the second half of The Mystery of the Phantom Grasshopper. Sleepyside is in an uproar when everyone's favorite weathervane, Hoppy, is stolen from the top of the town hall. If that wasn't bad enough, a valuable coin collection is stolen from a school classroom. Can Trixie and the BWGs solve both of these crimes before Sgt. Molinson does? Will he even help at all? Tune in to find out.In Lisa's ender, it's time for another party from the book Any Time is Party Time by Floye L. Free. It's a Tax Day party that you won't want to miss.Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasementJoin our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!             

In this episode, Lisa and Amy head back to Trixie land for a special in-between series book. The Mystery of the Phantom Grasshopper is filled with BWG intrigue and fun. There's a stranger lurking around town (and running after a tween), Bobby's a "secret" equestrian, a teacher's aide has a mysterious aura, and the BWGs need lots of meetings!In Lisa's ender, it's back to the Frankels and Unusual Party Ideas and Games (1960). Get ready for a Beatnik party. "Fall in" and don't be "square."Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Please email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasementJoin our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement, where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!             

In this week's episode, Lisa talks with permanent guest, Stephanie, about the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series. They also begin their plan for the Trans-Allegany Lunatic Asylum field trip. Lastly, as a special treat for all you Trixie Belden fans, Stephanie takes a quiz that tests her knowledge of the books. It's an episode you won't want to miss!Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!             

Judy Murray is a real estate broker with a not-so-secret passion for deals, divas, and danger.  Her passion for mysteries began with smart girls like Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden, grew deeper with not-to-be-ignored women like Miss Marple and Nora Charles. Judy incorporates her extensive knowledge of all things real estate with a passion for the Chesapeake Bay where she now lives Her debut novel Murder in the Master introduces Helen Morrisey, a sharp-tongued, gutsy and mature woman long on loyalty and short on romance. https://www.judymurraymysteries.com/ Today's episode is brought to you by John's full series of crime thrillers available right now. You can get them through Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/John-A.-Hoda/e/B00BGPXBMM%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share  You can also sign up for the newsletter at http://www.JohnHoda.com to get a free copy of John's new novella Liberty City Nights.Thank you for listening. If you have a moment to spare please leave a rating or comment on Apple Podcasts as that will help us expand the circle around our campfire. If you have any questions please feel to reach out to me via my website http://www.johnhoda.com

A dive into the hiveminds behind Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. We raise questions like: what do The Hardy Boys eat? Does Nancy = feminism? And what counts as a clue?  Resources: Nancy Drew's Father, The New Yorker, Meghan O'Rourke Rewriting the Past in Children's Literature: The Hardy Boys an Other Series, Robert L. Crawford (academic article) Books mentioned: Franklin W. Dixon, While the Clock Ticked; Carolyn Keene, Mystery of Crocodile Island; Bobbie Ann Mason, The Girl Sleuth; Melanie Rehak, Girl Sleuth. Series mentioned: The Rover Boys, Tom Swift, Outdoor Girls, The Bobbsey Twins, The Boxcar Children, The Baby-Sitter's Club, The Bailey School Kids, Choose Your Own Adventure, Animorphs, Sweet Valley High, Trixie Belden, as well as non-collective fiction series Goosebumps, Harry Potter, The Hunger Games & Twilight.

Get ready for our fifth bonus episode because it's all about the Mighty Mississippi (and one other random topic). In this episode, Lisa and Amy discuss questions and topics from Trixie Belden and The Mystery on the Mississippi. You'll learn about the history of the Mississippi River and its impact on American life. Also, discover some interesting facts about the indigenous inhabitants in the St. Louis area and the Cahokia people. Add in some tidbits about the Secret Service and the FBI, as well as tourist sites you may want to visit, and you've got an abundance of new knowledge! There's no starter and no ender--just content and conversation. Sit back, relax and join us as we tackle these subjects and more. Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your favorite platform.  Just click on the link below, select listen on Apple iTunes, then choose ratings and reviews. It's just that easy and it really helps us out a lot! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334If you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement where you can make a donation by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!             Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basementThank you Sara Pack for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com 

Join Lisa and Amy as they wrap-up season one with a discussion of the Trixie Belden series. You will also hear input from our listeners about their experiences with the Trixie books, both as children and adults, and how the podcast has helped them revisit these books in a whole new light.Thank you to our amazing listener, Stephanie, for her participation in this episode!Stephanie is a criminal defense attorney who has found her way back to Kansas after many years in Nevada and Tennessee. She still enjoys mysteries and loves listening to true crime podcasts and all things 80s. Stephanie's side hustle is co-hosting "aNodPod" on the Weekend Media Network when she isn't "chow-purring" her kids to and from all of their activities. The podcast will be on all podcast platforms, and the first episode will be dropped this weekend! For more information, contact Stephanie at stephanie@weekendmediagroup.comPlease rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Just follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basementIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!             Thank you, Sara Pack, for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com

Lisa and Amy are more than challenged by their last Trixie Belden book episode. The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest has been a struggle to this point, and the final part offers very little clarity. As Juliana's wedding day approaches, the BWGs continue to work the Miss Ryks case. How many times can Lisa and Amy say, “It makes no sense,” “I don't know,” “It doesn't say,” “They don't tell us,” and “I don't understand?” A lot!Questions? Where is Dan Mangan? Exactly what is a “wheels sale?” What is going on at the Glen Road Inn? Do cowboy hats really make a gang appear more dangerous? How many times does is take to confirm Miss Ryks' true identity? Why do bare feet scare Trixie? Are the wedding gifts really worth all this trouble? Can a wheelchair be a weapon?Also, Bobby becomes a caterer, Mr. Lytell and Mrs. Vanderpoel suspiciously motor around Sleepyside together, the thieves rack up expenses as they carry out their plan, Molinson and the Sleepyside police can't catch a thief, Hallie is missing, there's an arrest at the reception, and the BWGs carry out a rescue.It's the final ender of season one, and A Calendar of Games doesn't disappoint. Lisa presents a Candy Capade party that will both puzzle and entertain. Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Just follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basementIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!             Thank you, Sara Pack, for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com

Part two of The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest  has Lisa & Amy stumped and frustrated. The book becomes even more convoluted as they try to find answers to the many, many, many questions. This week in Trixie land, Trixie, Honey & Hallie juggle between investigating the strange new occurrences in Sleepyside and planning Juliana's wedding. More questions! Are Trixie and Hallie becoming friends or are they ready to throttle each other? How did a scratch get on one of the Wheeler bikes? And a follow-up to that--who's bike is it? What does it mean to “carry a guest book” at a wedding? Why doesn't Julianna realize that her engagement ring is missing?Also, Mrs. Vanderpoel is back, Dan's NYC gang is lurking in the woods, Miss Ryks suspiciously orders liver & onions, food disappears from the Belden kitchen, and Juliana find a wedding dress in an odd place.We're back to the Frankel's Unusual Party Ideas and Games in Lisa's ender. Join us as we celebrate April Fools Day (either too early or too late).Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Just follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basementIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!             Thank you, Sara Pack, for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com 

In this episode, Lisa and Amy begin their discussion of The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest. This book will close out the first season of Books From the Basement, and it's a doozy! Hans and Juliana are getting married at Manor House, and it's going to be one crazy wedding! To make things even more wonky, Trixie's cousin, Hallie Belden, comes to town and makes it impossible for things to go Trixie's way.So... many… questions...  in this first part, alone! What's the backstory behind Trixie and Hallie's volatile relationship? Can just corn on the cob and veggies pass as a proper Belden meal? What's the deal with the mysterious wheelchair? Do Hallie and Dan have what it takes to be a couple? What's up with all the raspberries? Are the Wheelers double dating with Miss Trask and Mr. Lytell?Also, future Dr. Brian is back, mysterious Miss Ryks is in town, Di's slighted, Dan's whistling off key, Jim and Trixie share a root beer, and the Lynch mansion is robbed!Lisa's ender is a Tourist party courtesy of Ronald F. Keeler in Suggestions for Socials!Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Just follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basementIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!             Thank you, Sara Pack, for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com

It's time for the final part of the Mystery of the Missing Heiress, and Lisa and Amy try to put this convoluted book into a semblance of order. Story threads are everywhere, and while most lead to a dead end, some lead to no end at all. After Trixie rescues Janie from a dangerous situation, even more mysterious things start to happen. Plus, it's old home week as familiar characters rejoin the mix.Questions for this episode: Is Mr. Lytell struggling to keep a stock of new batteries in his store? Why is Juliana making dolls day and night for a Turf Show booth? Do the Belden's park their car in a barn, a garage or some odd combination of the two? Why does Dr. Gregory have patients in his waiting room in the middle of the night?Also, Hans comes to town, there's a prowler in the Belden yard, Spider Webster returns to Sleepyside, and Snipe & Bull Thompson are on the loose.Lisa's ender is a bundle of surprises, including an ice breaker that cracks Lisa and Amy wide open.Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Just follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basementIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!             Thank you, Sara Pack, for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com

In this episode, Lisa and Amy continue their discussion of The Mystery of the Missing Heiress. The BWGs get to know Jim's long-lost cousin, Juliana. At the same time, a new girl, temporally named Janie, enters their lives. She has amnesia after a mysterious car accident. She moves in with the Beldens as she works to put the pieces of her life back in place.Questions for this episode: Will Jim's school be a refuge for runaway, orphaned, troubled or some sort of combination boys? Just how much time do Honey & Trixie spend “volunteening?” Also, what is “volunteening?” How does Janie walk through the woods without getting lost? Is Janie really Barbara? When did Mr. Wheeler buy a plane?Also, Brian does research on amnesia, Juliana has mystery transportation, Mr. Wheeler flies Janie to Chicago, Trixie hangs off a cliff, and Juliana freaks out—a lot!In Lisa's ender, the Fellows treat you to an “Opportunity Party!” Lisa and Amy have a very difficult (and comedic) time figuring out this one!Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Just follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpc

Today: Greg is trying to figure out a way to always wear work out clothes even though not working out, shiny shorts and sweatpants in public, the Country PI and his handy metal detector, Trixie Belden and the mystery of the missing earring, and more - have a great day all! 

It's time for the next book in the Trixie Belden series! In this week's episode Lisa and Amy begin their discussion of The Mystery of the Missing Heiress. The news that Jim has a  long-lost relative sparks Trixie's curiosity, and she pulls the rest of the BWGs into a new mystery.Who is Betje Maasden, and why is a mysterious man asking questions about her? Why is Mart so mean? What happened to Spider & Tad Webster? Can all the Wheeler's horses jump? Why is Moms making so much catsup? Tennis Anyone?Also, there's a surprise for the BWGs, Mrs. Vanderpoel makes another appearance, Regan is competitive, and there's too much information about horses!In this week's ender, it's a Dude Ranch party without any horses… or dude ranches!Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Just follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basementIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!             Thank you, Sara Pack, for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com

In this last episode of The Mystery on the Mississippi, Lisa and Amy try to decipher the final events that happen in St. Louis. Trixie's case takes a dark turn when she and Honey are kidnapped and held on an abandoned steamboat. Questions? What do the BWGs have against staying in a group? Do FBI agents really send notes to teenage girls? Is Honey under a strange spell? Why is Brian still refusing to doctor? Whose case is this anyway--the FBI's or The Belden-Wheeler Detective Agency's?Plus, The Aguileras and Pierre Lontard pop back in, the Bob-White whistle saves the day, and there might be a reward based on a gun smuggling tax!In this week's ender, it's back to Suggestions for Socials for another politically incorrect party called “Gathering of the Bums.” Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Just follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basementIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement where you can donate by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!             Thank you, Sara Pack, for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com 

Lisa and Amy are deep into The Mystery on the Mississippi as they discuss the second third of this Trixie Belden book. The BWGs (minus Di) are still in St. Louis and are deep into Trixie's new mystery. Between important sleuthing matters, the gang also manages to see some sights (sort of).  Questions? Has Brian forgotten how to be a doctor? What's up with the Secret Service? Does Mart ever get to see Tom Sawyer country? When did Jim learn how to handle a car like a stunt man? Is it safe to swim alone in the early morning? Per usual, some are answered, some are not.Plus, Trixie has another traumatic experience, A new friend doesn't seem so friendly, the black Mercedes is everywhere, the strange chart is starting to make some sense, and the BWGs meet a real “Huckleberry Finn.”In this week's ender, it's back to A Calendar of Parties for another unforgettable social gathering. Lisa time travels back (or forward) to April Fool's Day for a Crazy Capers Party. Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Just follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Email us at booksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comVisit our FB Page:  www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basementIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement where you can make a donation by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!             Thank you, Sara Pack, for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com

It's time for a new Trixie Belden and The Mystery on the Mississippi  does not disappoint. The BWGs head to St. Louis for their next adventure. Even Dan Mangan gets to tag along on this trip. Trixie & Honey's case begins almost immediately when they find a briefcase in their motel room. When a man arrives to claim it, Trixie's radar goes off and another mystery is afoot.Questions? Why don't the BWGs fit into Mr. Brandio's car? Is Jim really capable of driving the group around safely in a strange city? Where are all the steamboats? Can Lisa and Amy actually make it through another songfest?Plus, Trixie has a traumatic experience, Honey develops an odd attachment to a cook, Mart can't seem to decide what he wants to do, and everyone knows the same folksongs!Lisa has a new book for this week's ender.  Your own Party Book  by Gertrude Crampton gives instructions for a swim party that'll be hard to forget!Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Just follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basementIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement where you can make a donation by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!             Thank you, Sara Pack, for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com

Lisa and Amy wrap up The Mystery of the Emeralds with an in-depth discussion of the last third of the book. The search for the missing emerald necklace continues when a secret tunnel connecting Green Trees and Rosewood Hall is discovered.Questions? When did Trixie learn to read blueprints? Will the BWSs ever find out if the necklace is either cursed or charmed? How quick can you by a house in Virginia? Why can't Jim tell Trixie she's wonderful?Plus, timelines are out of whack, Jim doesn't hold a grudge, Mr. Lynch comes to Neil's rescue, the BWG “gang” scares Jenkins, Jim saves Trixie, and Di turns 14.In Lisa's ender, you're invited to a “Private Eye” party hosted by your favorite party planners, the Frankels.Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Just follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basementIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement where you can make a donation by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!             Thank you Sara Pack for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com

In this week's episode, Lisa and Amy continue their discussion of The Mystery of the Emeralds. Trixie and the rest of the BWGs are now sleuthing their way around the tiny town of Cliveden, making both friends and enemies along the way.Could Trixie and Jim's trip to the cemetery be called a date? After all, they do conveniently end up in a dark mausoleum together… What happens when Trixie remembers to “always look up?” What is the universal way to open a locket? And why don't Jim and Trixie know this? Would Honey make a better nurse than a detective? And, the most important question, where  are all the flashlights???Plus, Brian tends to yet another head injury victim, Mart and Di “kinda” flirt, and Lisa gets to call another fight!In Lisa's ender, it's your favorite party planners, the Frankels, and a “Fantasy Party” you won't forget. Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Just follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basementIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement where you can make a donation by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!             Thank you Sara Pack for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com

Ever wonder how discotheques got started? You'll find out in our third bonus episode! Lisa and Amy discuss questions and topics that came up during the past several episodes. You'll hear interesting information about such things as the history of nightclubs (including some disasters associated with them), how automats worked, and the characteristics of a blue diamond. You'll also learn some fun facts about NYC, including Central Park. Throw in some of Lisa's "tainted" family history, and you've got a full-packed episode. There's no starter and no ender--just content and conversation. Sit back, relax and join us as we tackle these subjects and more. Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your favorite platform.  Just click on the link below, select listen on Apple iTunes, then choose ratings and reviews. It's just that easy and it really helps us out a lot! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334If you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement where you can make a donation by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!             Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basementThank you Sara Pack for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com

Lisa and Amy's favorite book in the Trixie Belden series (so far) is up for review. The Mystery of the Emeralds takes the BWGs (minus Dan Mangan) on yet another summer vacation. If you've lost count, this makes four. Just add it to the one earlier in June, along with the two they went on in the future! The destination this time is Williamsburg, Virginia. After Trixie finds a mysterious letter in the attic, the BWGs are drawn back into Civil War history as they search for a hidden emerald necklace. Was Crabapple Farm part of the Underground Railroad? Who (or what) is the Queen of the Highways? How will the BWGs finance their trip to Virginia when the club treasury is virtually empty? How did Helen Sunderland marry a man with the same last name? Plus, Bobby can't talk (again), Mr. Belden gets a personality and Di has a great idea!It's all a part of this jam-packed episode, so sit back and read along as the BWGs embark on a new adventure.In Lisa's ender, it's back to the Frankel's Unusual Party Ideas and Games for a “Chain Reaction Party.” Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Just follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basementIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement where you can make a donation by buying us a "book" instead of a coffee!             Thank you Sara Pack for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com

Batten down the hatches for the final part of The Mystery on Cobbett's Island.  After a successful garden party, Cap finds out he needs a new crew for a practice race the next day. Trixie and Jim volunteer… sailing… sailing… sailing… and the race is over! The secret of the chart is revealed, and the BWGs scour Cobbett's Island for the treasure. What can be found at Ethel's Bakery other than jelly donuts? Is the villain, Slim, the same as the bad guy from Bob-White Cave? Wait, has that even happened yet? Will Lisa get to call another fight scene? How is police procedure on the island? There's a lot of action in this one, so be prepared to get all amped up!Lisa found a new party book for her ender this time. Find out if a “Three's a Crowd” party is the next one you'll want to throw! Also, Lisa and Amy need assistance with figuring out the games for this one, so listen carefully and help them out! Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Just follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basementIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement where you can make a donation by "buying us a book" instead of a coffee!             Thank you Sara Pack for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com

It's time for Part 2 of The Mystery on Cobbett's Island.  On the hunt for buried treasure, the BWGs find a chart with nautical symbols in the Kimball's gazebo. They set sail with new friends, Peter and Cap, to see if they can find the clues in the surrounding area. This episode is full of sailing wisdom, (if you're into that kind of thing), plus, stinkpots, a real clambake, an old captain with yarns, and, of course, sea chanteys. Even with a fever, Lisa still tries valiantly to understand the complex summer time travel of the BWGs. Will Diana continue to make Mart jealous, or is he too interested in food to care? What really happened when Honey and Brian slipped away for a walk on the beach? How dangerous can Trixie and Jim make themselves look to fit in at Jimmy's (where all the bad kids hang out)? Was Ed a real person? There are lots of other questions for Lisa and Amy to discuss, so just sit back and enjoy the fun!In Lisa's ender, you'll attend a “Come as You are” party courtesy of the Frankels. Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Just follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basementIf you want to help us keep our podcast ad-free, please go to                     www.buymeacoffee.com/booksbasement where you can make a  donation by "buying us a book" instead of a coffee!             Thank you Sara Pack for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com

 Lisa and Amy are excited to delve into The Mystery on Cobbett's Island! Guess what? It's June again, and the BWGs time travel back to the beginning of summer for their first vacation after the end of the school year… huh? Tag-a-long Di joins the inner circle on a trip to Cobbett's Island where the Wheeler's have rented a house for the summer. They find a hidden letter that gives a hint about where a treasure chart is located, kicking off the first (maybe) mystery of the summer. Before they can leave town, Trixie needs to go shopping for a new bathing suit, which seems to be a major event. Questions in this episode? Can future doctor, Brian, treat something other than a closed head injury? Has time travel caused Diana to lose some of what little smarts she has? Why does every BWG vacation end up having a chore wheel? What's with the obvious  flirting between Brian and Honey? Is Di trying to make Mart jealous, or does she really think Peter is the tops? Maybe you'll find out, maybe you won't, but listen anyway, and Lisa and Amy will do their best to figure it out for you. In Lisa's ender, there's more fun and games courtesy of Godfrey and Lillian Frankl. This time it's a “Turnabout” party. Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Just follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basementThank you Sara Pack for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com

Settle in with Lisa and Amy for the conclusion of The Mystery of the Blinking Eye. The BWGs face more challenges as they stay in pursuit of the dangerous men following them. Luckily, Dr. Joe Reed is available to distract them with his model trains, as well as, a side trip to the hospital to visit a random little girl. When Trixie is lured to a dodgy restaurant to meet with the thieves, will the rest of the group be able to save her in time? Other questions: Just how big is Trixie's idol? Will the Mexican woman's prophecy come true? Will the Wellingtons actually make an appearance? Will Mr. Wheeler ruin Trixie's case? Also, there are lots of Jim/Trixie heart moments in this episode, so perk up your ears and enjoy!In Lisa's ender, you're invited to an “unknown party.” Details of which are,,, well,,, unknown!Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Just follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basementThank you Sara Pack for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com

In this episode, Lisa and Amy continue their discussion of The Mystery of the Blinking Eye. Still in NYC, the BWGs and the Iowans visit some of the landmark sights. On the agenda are the Statue of Liberty, the Museum of Natural History and the Empire State Building. Trixie attempts to dodge the bad guys as they continue their pursuit of her idol. Plus, the Hubbell twins get the opportunity to sing on national television. Questions to be tackled are: Why can’t the group follow their own rule ( and the warning of others), to always stay together? Did Bob and Barbara’s guitars teleport from the airport? Why is the apartment doorman engaging in reckless behavior? Are Mart’s magic skills improving? How many times can Lisa say, “I don’t know? " In Lisa’s ender, it’s time for 1960's teenagers to throw their first boy-girl party. First piece of advice: Tell your friends when and where!Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Just follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basementThank you Sara Pack for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com

It’s time to learn all about The Mystery of the Blinking Eye! The BWGs (All of them this time) are spending the week in NYC. Their friends from Iowa, Bob & Barbara Hubbell and Ned Schultz, want to take in all the sights and sounds of the big city. Even though she’s not expecting a mystery, Trixie stumbles into one while helping a lost Mexican woman at the airport. The woman gives her a straw purse and a written prophecy. When events begin to follow the warnings of the prophecy, the rest of the group (some more slowly than others) get drawn into the mystery. Questions, you ask? What’s the deal with the icon idol statue that Trixie bought at an antique store, and why are some shady men willing to risk harming a 14-year-old girl to steal it? Should a horse pulling a Hansom cab really be rearing? What are the current ages of the BWGs? Now that Diana and Dan Mangan are included, how much do they really have to say? Read along, listen and decide for yourself! In Lisa’s ender, there’s a new party book in play. Hope you’re all ready for a 1960’s Caveman party!  Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Just follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334 Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basement Thank you Sara Pack for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com

In the conclusion of “The Mystery at Bob-White Cave,” Lisa and Amy tie up the loose ends (the best they can) of the BWG’s trip to the Ozarks. Is Mr. Glendenning sharing a cabin with the strange ghost that haunts the woods? Will Jim save Trixie from drowning in a sinkhole (there is a next Trixe book so…)? Will the BWGs catch all three specimens of the ghost fish and win the contest? How powerful is a head injury and can it actually help the patient? These are just a few of the questions that Lisa and Amy try to answer. Also, Lisa calls a play-by-play of Jim and Slim’s cave fight, and Brian’s in full doctor mode! In Lisa’s ender, it’s time for another party! This time it’s a Date Social, but don’t get too excited, this party is a mystery in itself.Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Just follow this link and click the “listen on Apple podcast” button. Then click on the rate and review tab to reach the correct page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334 Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basement  Thank you Sara Pack for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com

Ghosts, ghosts, ghosts and more ghosts! This week, Lisa and Amy continue their review of “The Mystery at Bob-White Cave.” There are many tales about lingering spirits that haunt the woods around Uncle Andrew’s fishing lodge in the Ozarks. A haunted cabin is hosting guests that may consist of two living humans and one spiritual being. Trixie ignores the rhetoric and instead searches in earnest for ghost fish (which are a real thing)! Is Slim really surly, or will he turn his attitude around and become friends with the BWGs? Exactly what is a play party?  Who started the fire? Where is the missing ghost fish Trixie finally found? These are the questions that Lisa and Amy attempt to answer in this episode. In Lisa’s ender, various ghost stories of the Ozarks are on the agenda. Also, Lisa and Amy discuss their own take on the afterlife and the existence of haunting spirits. Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts . It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Let's keep the show on those Australia, New Zealand and Canada charts! Showing up on the US charts would be a major plus! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334 Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basement Thank you Sara Pack for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com

It’s time for Lisa and Amy to revisit book #11 of the Trixie Belden series, The Mystery at Bob-White Cave. It’s summer vacation, and the BWGs (minus Dan and Di) decide to spend some time at Uncle Andrew’s fishing lodge in the Ozark mountains. Trixie is more interested in catching ghost fish in a cave, than catching bass in the lake. A fishing contest springs her into action, and she urges her fellow club members to join in her enthusiasm. New characters pop up on a regular basis including Mrs. Moore, who believes her dead husband is haunting the woods surrounding the lodge, and her 14-year-old daughter, Linnie. Ghost stories are plentiful in the Ozarks, but Trixie doesn’t believe in ghosts. Instead, she chooses to take on the legends as new mysteries to solve.  In Lisa’s ender, it’s time for another 1940’s social occasion. It’s a puzzle party, which Amy and Lisa find puzzling as well, just not for the same reasons!Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts . It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Let's keep the show on those Australia, New Zealand and Canada charts! Showing up on the US charts would be a major plus! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334 Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basement Thank you Sara Pack for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com

We begin in Costa Rica. Author Amy Waeschle's protagonist Dr. Cassidy Kincaid is a volcano seismologist. I had to ask Amy what that is exactly. Turns out it's the perfect profession for an amateur sleuth as it takes her all over the world, where she encounters mysteries of all kinds. Dr. Cassidy is a surfer, visiting Costa Rica in the excerpt Amy reads. And, from the Small World department, Amy herself learned to surf where I live, on the on the west coast of Vancouver Island. She's even written a memoir about her surfing adventures. If you enjoy Amy's reading from Rescuing Reeve you can get the full book for free at her website. This week's mystery author Amy Waeschle is a bestselling mystery writer who fell in love with mysteries while reading late at night under her covers. Agatha Christie, Trixie Belden, and Ridley Pearson were her favorites growing up. She learned to surf just before her 30th birthday, and the challenging experience inspired her to write her first book, a memoir about surfing and traveling called Chasing Waves. After that, Amy was hooked on storytelling, and wanted to combine her love for adventure with fiction, and has been writing adrenaline-spiked mysteries and heartfelt dramas ever since. To learn more about Amy and all her books visit AmyWaeschle.com Press play (above) to listen to the show, or read the excerpt below. Remember you can also listen on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher, Android, Google Podcasts, TuneIn, and Spotify. Excerpt from Rescuing Reeve After a sunset surf session at another remote wave, Cassidy slipped to the bow of the Trinity with her stack of documents, hoping to pick up where she left off, but found fellow surfer Benita leaning back against the railing, playing Reeve’s ukulele and singing softly.  She must have seen the look on Cassidy’s face because she stopped mid-strum. “Is this yours? I found it on my bunk.” “Uh, no, I mean, yes, it’s mine.” Benita gave her a shrewd look.  “You can play it. I don’t mind, I was just surprised, is all.” “This is actually a really nice one. Do you play?” “No,” Cassidy said, settling in on her cushion. She realized that her answers were not making much sense.  “My son learned in school. He got really into it.” She looked up. “Do you have kids?” she asked.  Cassidy tried not to download all the reasons why she did not. “No,” she said. She remembered that she hadn’t answered Benita’s question the day before about her marital status.  Benita shrugged. “It’s the kind of thing that happens if you ever do. Your kid gets into something, and then suddenly you’re into it too.” “It’s my stepbrother’s,” Cassidy said.  Benita fingered a few more keys and strummed. “The one you’re looking for,” she said. It was a statement, not a question, and Cassidy remembered that Benita was a lawyer. A good one, too, she guessed.  Cassidy looked out at the blue horizon. The sun would be setting soon, and the soft glow on the water looked like a sheen of pearl luminescence. From inside the boat, she caught the occasional whiff of baking bread. “Yes,” she said.  Benita gave her a look. “Are you guys close?”  “Not really,” Cassidy replied, “but there isn’t really anyone else who can look for him.” She looked out again, this time at the distant charcoal-and-brown mountains shrouded in wispy clouds. “He was working for Bruce on one of these trips. He went ashore in San Juan and never came back.” Benita’s eyes narrowed, and Cassidy could tell her mind was working. “What did the police say?” “I talked to the police in Tamarindo and Santa Cruz, but they said there wasn’t much they could do because he disappeared in Nicaragua. I don’t know if anyone’s talked to the police in San Juan. My stepsister tried calling, but she doesn’t speak Spanish. She has been talking to someone at the U.S. Embassy, but I don’t think anyone’s taking her seriously.” “Do you have an idea of what happened?”

Lisa and Amy finish their discussion of The Marshland Mystery in this Trixie Belden episode. 18-year-old reporter, Paul Trent, has a bone to pick with Trixie and the BWGs. He’s determined to destroy Trixie’s reputation as Sleepyside’s best resident detective. If that weren’t enough, Trixie still has to play matchmaker to Bobby & Gaye, organize an antique sale, and stop the city council from forcing Miss Rachael into a nursing home. As always, only some of the following questions will be answered: Who’s Emily? What happened to the surly men digging up Miss Rachael’s garden? Will Gaye ever be able to live the life she truly wants? Why does a bit of rain keep the entire town from showing up at an indoor antique sale?In Lisa’s ender, you’re invited to the most politically incorrect party yet. Hint: The invitations are in the shape of tepees… Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts . It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Let's keep the show on those Australia, New Zealand and Canada charts! Showing up on the US charts would be a major plus!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basement Thank you Sara Pack for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com  

Welcome to The Same Page! I'm back with Mama McRill today as we discuss some of our favorite books growing up - the Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden series! We talk about the ups and downs of being a young female detective, whether or not the two could beat up the Hardy Boys, and how well the books have aged. One of those might be a lie. Which one? It's a mystery! Grab a drink and come chat with us! Have a book that you think we should read for the podcast? Have questions or collaboration requests? Send us an email at thesamepagepod@gmail.com Find us on all of our social media! Instagram: @TheSamePagePodcast Twitter: @TheSamePagePod Facebook: The Same Page Podcast Title: The Bungalow Mystery Author: Carolyn Keene [Ghostwriter: Mildred Wirt] Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap Published in 1960 [Original publication in 1930] Title: The Gatehouse Mystery Author: Julie Campbell Publisher: Western Publishing Published in 1970 [Original publication in 1951] Books/Media mentioned in this episode: The Bungalow Mystery by Carolyn Keene the Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene The Gatehouse Mystery by Julie Campbell the Trixie Belden series by Julie Campbell the Hardy Boys series by Franklin W. Dixon The Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder Logo by https://www.etsy.com/shop/AliciaMarksIt

Welcome to book #10 of the Trixie Belden series: The Marshland Mystery!  A child violinist has come to town and wreaks havoc in Sleepyside. With behavioral issues worse than Bobby’s (which is debatable), she’s got everyone hopping to attention with her demands. Trixie and Honey are determined to gather samples at a nearby swamp, but find themselves immersed in a mystery of sorts. Who is the old lady with the pointed-toed shoes? Where is Bobby’s bike? Can Bobby suck his thumb and get a girlfriend at the same time? Listen to Amy and Lisa dissect the multiple mysteries that Trixie finds herself juggling.In Lisa’s ender, it’s back to 1940’s party time. The suggested games for an April Fools party will have you thanking your past party hosts (hopefully) for not inflicting this sort of humiliation upon you. Even the refreshments will have you wondering “who thought up these ideas!” This episode is part 1 of 2Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basement  Thank you Sara Pack for helping us with our grammar and punctuation questions! Sara is an editor and can be found on Upwork or at sarapackediting.com  Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts . It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Let's get back on those Australia, New Zealand and Canada charts! US charts would be good, too!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334

Welcome to The Same Page! Today I am welcoming a very special guest, my mom! We are talking about favorite books, childhood reads, favorite genres, and more. There are even a few fun little kid stories from my childhood. What can I say, I didn't have the heart to cut them out. Grab a drink and come chat with us! Have a book that you think we should read for the podcast? Have questions or collaboration requests? Send us an email at thesamepagepod@gmail.com Find us on all of our social media! Instagram: @TheSamePagePodcast Twitter: @TheSamePagePod Facebook: The Same Page Podcast Books/Media mentioned in this episode: Mai Tai One On by Jill Marie Landis Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder Becoming by Michelle Obama Once in Every Life by Kristin Hannah In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren (Pub: May 2021) the Harry Potter series the Key trilogy by Nora Roberts Key of Light by Nora Roberts the FBI Thrillers series by Catherine Coulter the Goldy Bear Culinary Mystery series by Diane Mott Davidson Dying for Chocolate by Diane Mott Davidson I Thee Wed by Amanda Quick Early Dawn by Catherine Anderson Mrs. Mike by Benedict Freedman The Once and Future King by T.H. White The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams Bianco Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie 18 Cousins by Carol G. Hogan I'm Suzy by Dorotha Ruthstrom the Trixie Belden series by Julie Campbell the Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene the Hardy Boys series by Franklin W. Dixon Trixe Belden and the Gatehouse Mystery by Julie Campbell The Bungalow Mystery by Carolyn Keene The Polar Express (2004)Logo by https://www.etsy.com/shop/AliciaMarksIt

In the final episode of “The Happy Valley Mystery,” Lisa follows up on some nagging questions from “The Black Jacket Mystery.” Afterwards, Amy and Lisa finish up their discussion of “The Happy Valley Mystery.” There’s a live lamb in the oven, a “great” rabbit hunt, and dinner with new friends, which includes a competition about whether the BWGs or the 4-H club is most charitable. Danger emerges as Trixie’s determination puts Honey and Jim in a perilous situation. And, maybe most importantly, Jim and Trixie’s relationship reaches a new level.In Lisa’s ender, she discusses the author issue with Amy as they once again try to determine who wrote this book. Also, Trixie Lore is revisited when Lisa shares character descriptions of the Wheeler family (minus Jim Frayne).Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basement  Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Let's get back on those Australia, New Zealand and Canada charts! US charts would be good, too! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334 

In Part 2 of “The Happy Valley Mystery,” Lisa and Amy continue their attempt to sort out what’s going on in Iowa. Trixie’s trigger is hot as she impulsively accuses local folks of being sheep thieves. On the chopping block are a man with a black beard, Ben the hired hand, and a couple of brothers just trying to make it in the sheep business. In between working on the farm and chasing down suspects, the BWGs find time to hit the basketball court and attend a combo BBQ/dance. Honey and Diana are flirting with the Rivervale boys, while Trixie is jealous of a blonde that has caught Jim’s eye. The breaking point for Lisa comes during her attempt to discuss the performances of some of the BWGs during an impromptu skating show.In Lisa’s ender, she once again breaks out the Trixie Lore for a character description of Jim Frayne.Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basement  Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts . It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Let's get back on those Australia, New Zealand and Canada charts! US charts would be good, too! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334

What are the BWGs doing on a sheep farm in Iowa? Find out as Lisa and Amy discuss Part 1 of “The Happy Valley Mystery.” There’s lots of sheep stuff to translate and the information about caring for the fluffy animals is plentiful. A lost calf, an upside-down sheep, a snowstorm, a great escape, and a gully rescue keep the BWGs busy. There’s also lots of information about birds and a detailed description of the use of sheep parts. Despite all of this action, Trixie is distracted by the mysterious disappearance of sheep from the farm. Ignoring the warning from Uncle Andrew not to get involved, Trixie immediately puts herself on the case. Her first suspect: a strange man with a black beard who “looks like a sheep thief.” In Lisa’s ender, she breaks out the Trixie Lore for a character description of Jim Frayne.Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcFollow us on Twitter: @books_basement  Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts . It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Let's get back on those Australia, New Zealand and Canada charts! US charts would be good, too! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334

In the conclusion of "The Black Jacket Mystery," Lisa and Amy comb through the action packed final third of the book. Brian practices his doctor skills like he’s seen on TV, Bobby runs away (again) and must be rescued (again), and Dan Mangan is still acting like a NYC gang member (sort of). Questions to ponder during this episode are: Will the catamount ever make an appearance? Why doesn’t anyone know the classic signs of a concussion? Can a wool sweater really save the day? Does painting on leather work? And, once again, where is Di??In Lisa’s ender, learn about historical dance perils, including “getting stuck” and knowing when the best thing to do is “go home.”Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpc Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts . It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Let's get back on those Australia, New Zealand and Canada charts! US charts would be good, too! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334

Lisa and Amy continue their analysis of “The Black Jacket Mystery” in this fun-filled episode. There’s a new boy in town, and he is dangerous with a capital D! A former member of the feared “Cowhands” gang of NYC, Dan Mangan immediately sparks Trixie’s suspicious nature when he shows up in Sleepyside wearing a black leather jacket and black cowboy boots. Di makes a delayed appearance, a new horse pops in, Mr. Lytell’s store is buzzing at six a.m., Bobby has a see-crud, and a catamount is on the prowl. Also, find out the meaning of the phrase “not a choke in a carload” and obtain some new insights into Bobby’s behavior.In Lisa’s ender, it’s time for more 1950’s party games!Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasement Join our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpc Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts . It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Let's get back on those New Zealand and Canada charts! US charts would be good, too! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334

In this jam-packed episode, Lisa and Amy maneuver their way through the first four chapters of "The Black Jacket Mystery." There are so many questions without answers in this book: When did Jim join a biology group? Why are Brian and Mart changing into "snazzy" or "sharp" sweaters (depending on which version you're reading) just to carry Honey's suitcase up the driveway of Crabapple Farm? Who is Thunderer and how does he magically turn into Jupiter? Why is Honey suddenly using her feminine wiles on the Belden boys? Who is parenting Bobby? And the burning question: Where is Di??? In this episode, Lisa and Amy will point out discrepancies with past books, and share their opinions about this new authors perspective of the Trixie Belden series. In Lisa's ender, find out what the "Trixie Lore" is, and how future authors were instructed about the characteristics and back story of Dan Mangan.Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasementJoin our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcPlease rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts . It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Let's get back on those New Zealand and Canada charts! US charts would be good, too!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334

Chaos and danger surround Trixie and the BWGs as they work to save their secret (or not secret) club. Once again, a blizzard's slowing them down, Reddy's running away, and no one is correcting Bobby's vocabulary. Plus, Trixie transforms into a "girl," Jim and Trixie share some romantic moments (or maybe a date), a dinner party at the Belden's turns weird with inappropriate games, and food is described in detail down to the last kernel of popcorn.In this episode, Lisa and Amy will guide you through a new author's ideas about how the Trixie series should continue now that Julie Campbell has moved on.In Lisa's ender, learn how a 1936 husband should support his wife's recreational choices.Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasementJoin our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcPlease rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts . It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Let's get back on those New Zealand and Canada charts! US charts would be good, too!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334

No more BWGs?! That's what Principal Stratton tells Trixie when gang-related activity starts to plague Sleepyside Junior/Senior High. In a quest to prove their worth to the school board, the BWGs embark on a UNICEF fundraiser, only to find themselves waist deep in another series of mysteries.Lisa and Amy peel back the layers of part 1 of The Mysterious Code. It's a new author, new character development, new side stories--all things new! Have Moms and Dad Belden experienced personality changes? Why is Spider Webster eating hot dogs at Whimpy's instead of policing Sleepyside? Where is the decoder to the acrobatic alphabet? What exactly happened (or didn't happen) to Nell Frayne's music box? Some of these questions will be answered, others... well... not so much! In Lisa's ender, ponder your own answers as Lisa quizzes Amy on regional food names!Visit our FB Page: www.facebook/booksfromthebasementJoin our FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/booksfromthebasementpcPlease rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts . It's free to subscribe, and you can still listen on your regular platform. Let's get back on those New Zealand and Canada charts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-from-the-basement/id1544343334

Lisa and Amy finish up their discussion of The Mystery in Arizona. Trixie is homesick for Bobby, but luckily there’s a stand-in named Petey. He’s on the loose with his own nonsensical babble about a giant “g’rilla," creepy dancing people, and skeleton eating. Also, Jim cracks down hard on Trixie over homework, the ranch guests are demanding jobs, potential BWGs are in the mix and the word “squaw” is still making an appearance. Trixie’s mysteries are solved, but Amy and Lisa are left with more unanswered questions about the editing of the different editions. Facebook.com/BooksfromthebasementBooksfromthebasementpc@gmail.comPlease rate, review and subscribe at the iTunes store

The Bob-Whites head to Arizona to spend their Christmas vacation on a dude ranch. Immediately upon arrival, they find themselves filling in for the ranch staff who have mysteriously and abruptly disappeared. Trixie is happy to pitch in, but the remaining BWGs reluctantly take on the roles of the missing employees. If working during her vacation weren’t enough, Trixie is being tutored by Brian and Jim, which puts a large dent in her exciting dude ranch activity schedule. A Navaho girl without jewelry, a strange cowboy, and three odd guests keep Trixie juggling more mysteries than she can handle. In Lisa’s ender, you’ll learn all about going steady in the 1950’s, including the importance of fraternity keys, the meaning of the word “sock hop,” and the lowdown on Puppy Love Anklets.

In this episode, Lisa and Amy break down the second half of the Mystery Off Glen Road. The Bob-Whites have become temporary gamekeepers for the Wheeler estate, and when Trixie and Honey find clues that a poacher is in their midst, they take it upon themselves to catch the culprit. Is the poacher a crazy unicyclist on the loose from the circus, or are their two trespassers in the game preserve? Can a poacher have a cabin in the woods and a vegetable garden? Will Brian realize his dream of owning the $50 jalopy he has his heart set on? This time there will be answers. Plus, Lisa will educate you on the history of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich and give you one last tip for keeping your man—1950’s style.

Trixie Belden and the Mystery Off Glen Road is on tap for this week’s episode. Amy and Lisa discuss the first half of the book and try to decipher yet another series of perplexing problems. After a storm blows through town, a new set of difficulties emerge for the Bob-Whites to overcome. In side stories, Trixie transforms herself into a girly girl, "squaw" is the word of the day, Jim gets jealous, and Honey flip flops about Trixie's theories. Plus, in Lisa’s ender, learn more about how to be a good wife by not giving your husband dyspepsia.

In this episode, Amy and Lisa tackle the second half of Trixie Belden and the Mysterious Visitor. Topic discussed are: Trixie's visit to the seedy part of town, the start of Honey's curtain making career and the result of Bobby making his own orange juice. Plus, Lisa's ender is all about teenage fashion in the 1950's.

In this episode, Amy and Lisa take on Trixie Belden and The Mysterious Visitor. Diana Lynch, a new (and sometimes visible) member of the BWGs comes on the scene and brings with her a family mystery. Uncle Monty has come to visit, providing Trixie with yet another person to peak her suspicious nature. Is this the beginning of Mart's intense vocabulary? Should Diana be evaluated for mental health issues? Shouldn't a Halloween party be fun? Amy and Lisa discuss these questions and more. Plus for your bonus enjoyment, almost everything you want to know about treating poison ivy and a tip for keeping your man, 1950's style.

Lisa and Amy thoroughly enjoy their final discussion of The Gatehouse Mystery. Listen as they try to answer questions about another chaotic Trixe caper: How was the secret group formed? Why is Trixie thinking about taking pills, and more importantly, are they the right ones? Who's supposed to be watching Bobby? How is Honey able to interview and hire a new employee in under five minutes? What's the deal with Susie the horse? And, to make the story even more interesting, a surprise visit from a future character will be in the mix!

In this episode Amy and Lisa discuss the first half of Trixie Belden and the Gatehouse Mystery. Join them as they dive into the twists and turns of a plot involving jewel thieves and the search for a lost diamond. Trixie has multiple theories (which constantly change) as she and Honey hunt for clues while working together with Jim, Brian and Mart to solve the mystery. Some of the issues discussed in this episode are: Can Bobby talk coherently or can't he? Why does the staff of the Manor House keep quitting? What's the deal with poison ivy? What exactly is a "dog wagon?" Listen as Lisa and Amy attempt to answer these question and more!

This week, Amy and Lisa discuss the continuing story of Trixie Belden and Honey Wheeler, who embark on a trailer trip in pursuit of Jim Frayne. On this new adventure, the girls face a family in trouble, an unhinged waiter, and a farmer's wife that loves to bake! And, don't forget the mayhem caused by the two unmanageable dogs they decided to bring along.

For their debut podcast, Lisa and Amy break out the first book in Lisa's favorite series. Trixie Belden has been a staple for kids (and even adults) all over the world since the 1950's. Up first is The Secret of the Mansion which was written in 1948 by Julie Campbell. Join Lisa and Amy as they discuss new insights into the first book of a beloved childhood series. Be sure to watch out for the plumbing mystery and the magically appearing turkey dinner!

This episode is the first of a new season, and my good friend—and friend of the show—Amanda White is here to talk with me about how sometimes, our first (pop culture) loves become our forever loves. We cover my long history of loving mysteries and her insistence on bonnets and survival stories. And hang in to the very end, because we also share some listeners' first and forever pop culture loves. You won't want to miss that! More fun includes Amanda sharing her mental image of Patreon supporters with us, urging you all to become “rich old ladies” who support this podcast, and even though she later suggests I'm still using a VCR (which I am not), I bring her to actual tears of joy by agreeing to watch one of her very favorite TV shows of all time and record my reactions with her for a bonus episode for patrons. Or rich old ladies. We also discuss what Patreon supporters should be called, because “rich old ladies” and even “patrons” don't seem nearly as fun as tater tots and French fries. If all that crazy sounds like your idea of a good time, then you are in for a treat. Welcome back to The Couch! MENTIONED IN THE SHOW: Nancy Drew books Hardy Boys books Trixie Belden books Encyclopedia Brown H is for Homicide Mary Higgins Clark John Grisham Jonathan Kellerman NCIS Psych The Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny Grandma's Attic book series Laura Ingalls Wilder books Betsy Tacy books Historical fiction by Jane Kirkpatrick Hatchet The Martian Robinson Crusoe Naked and Afraid Lost Wizard of Oz The Greatest Showman Dirty Dancing Step Up So You Think You Can Dance World of Dance Anne of Green Gables (Whoa! All 8 books for $1.99!) Books by Lloyd Alexander Lunar Chronicles series NOT-SO-GUILTY PLEASURES: Plants The Couch's new Patreon community DON'T FORGET: Join The Couch on Facebook! Find Amanda on Instagram at @oohamanda, and find Mary there at @marycarver. Welcome to The Couch!

There's said to be a treasure hiding in old mansion next door to Trixie. Finding it could mean a completely different life for her new friend, but failure could mean he has to return to his abusive step father. Surviving snake bites and rabid dogs is one thing, but finding this elusive treasure in the building that should be condemned is another. Time is running out and Trixie and Honey have only one option: find the truth behind the rumors without getting caught. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ewm-bookclub/support

In this episode, Lisa and Julianne continue the series, Conversations with the EQUUS Herd. After a chat to catch up on the current social situation, the episode features interviews with Candace Carrabus, Linda Sheehan and Janet Winters from the EQUUS Film and Arts Fest at the Kentucky Horse Park. Candace Carrabus writes from the Lincoln County, Missouri farm she shares with her husband and daughter. A scoliosis diagnosis at age 11 changed her life. A horse lover from a young age, she signed up for riding lessons and learned much more than posting trot. With quiet power, horses provided comfort and a sympathetic ear, never judging or poking fun at her cumbersome back brace. Those years, though often difficult, taught Candace the value of persistence, the healing power of believing in oneself, and how strength can be gained through kindness. Her stories are imbued with the irresistible wonder, mystery, and solace her equine friends have provided.https://candacecarrabus.comLinda Brown Sheehan is a lifelong animal enthusiast, and supporter of charitable organizations specializing in the prevention of cruelty to animals. The experiences and observations she has volunteering in animal rescue provide ample material for her artwork. Linda and her husband Eric, both from Iowa, have two sons and two dogs. The family currently lives in Plano, Texas. Linda's book, The Story of Bubbles, was written to benefit Becky's Hope Horse Rescue in Frisco, Texas. https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/linda-sheehanhttps://www.amazon.com/Story-Bubbles-Linda-Brown-Sheehan/dp/1542812887Janet Winters fell in love with mysteries and horses thanks to Trixie Belden. After reading Trixie's first adventure, in which she and Honey cantered down the bridle path to solve a mystery, Janet was hooked. Then came Agatha, Sir Author, Rex, Daphne, and of course Dorothy L., who inspired her to name her horses after characters in the Lord Peter Wimsey series. Janet was encouraged to write after winning a fifth grade essay contest which was actually published in the local newspaper. After that, her writing took a deviant turn to ad copy, press releases, and commercials, for which she snagged a Matrix Award.After thirty years of convincing people to buy things they didn't need, she turned to her real love...mysteries. She penned her first novel "Murder at Morgan House", introducing amateur sleuth Ivy Snow, her psychic teenage daughter Jaycee, and potential paramour Detective John Garrett. Together they expose deadly secrets that lie beneath the veneer of quintessential American small town life.https://thebarngoddesschronicles.comTo learn more about podcast host Julianne and her partner Bruce Anderson, tune in to "Whinny Tales: Horse Stories, Pony Legends and Unicorn Yarns," the official podcast of Nature's View and The Marley Project, their equine and arts-based 501 (c)(3). You can also visit www.naturesview.us to schedule an appointment. A documentary about their work and films in the Natural Humanship Training Series, are available on The EQUUS Channel at https://filmfestivalflix.com/festival/equus/film/the-edge/. Julianne is the organizer of the Camden Tour Stop for the fest, so visit www.equusfilmfestivalcamden.com for a complete listing of activities and updates on a possible rescheduling of the spring event for the fall of 2020.For more information about the festival or for links to the films and literature mentioned in the podcast, visit equusfilmfestival.net. To see the EQUUS films, visit https://horsenetwork.com/equus/.

Today: we are both a little on the stressed out weird side today so gosh darn it - we give you our best! It's a weird one, Sarah saw a cat on a leash and a bush with a smiley face, Stephanie Plum and Ramona Quimby, GWAR and lost shoes, and more - have a great afternoon all; we love you lots. xo

Kathryn shares her author journey. When she was as a large conference, she initially began doubting herself and whether she belonged. Fortunately, Kathryn's supportive community reminded her that she belonged there as much as anyone else. She shares these powerful nuggets of life wisdom: - we are all interconnected - we cannot control what will happen in our lives, but we can control who we will be afterwards - embrace the opportunities that are put in front of you - be open to listen to options - you CAN teach an old dog new tricks - embrace the fear - life is change - believe you can do it - accept the help that is offered to you Kathryn Taylor was born at the Great Lakes Naval Station near Chicago, Illinois and spent much of her life in the Chicagoland area. When she entered first grade, reading came easily. She became a voracious reader. The highlight of her week was heading to the library where she could bring home a healthy stack of books. She could devour a Nancy Drew or a Trixie Belden or an entire family of Bobbsey Twins in a single sitting. Decades before terms such as “peer tutoring” and “collaborative learning” had been coined, her teacher had an inspiring idea. She would allow Kathryn to assist classmates struggling to decode those pesky letter combinations and help them learn to read. She experienced an undeniable sense of fulfillment helping her classmates and licking gold stars onto completed pages. The desire to become a teacher took root. She spent thirty years in the classroom and had taught in Illinois, California, and Virginia before retiring to South Carolina. It was there where the seeds for a book of her own took root. Two Minus One: A Memoir followed the unexpected abandonment by her second husband. She remains an avid reader, enthusiastic traveler, and incurable beach lover.  Her rescue dog, Lucy, and Kathryn live outside of Charleston, SC, which affords her the opportunity to enjoy all three. https://kathryntaylorbooks.com/  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbTEnpgOJAdj-3W6HLLosuQ  https://www.instagram.com/kataylor15/  https://www.amazon.com/Two-Minus-One-Kathryn-Taylor/dp/1631524542  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-taylor-143ba4145/  https://www.pinterest.com/KathrynTaylorAuthor  https://twitter.com/ktaylorauthor  https://www.facebook.com/KathrynTaylorAuthor/  tags: Kathryn, Taylor, writer, author, Two, Minus, One, Charleston, SC, storiesthatempower.com, story, stories, that, empower, empowering, empowerment, inspire, inspiring, inspiration, encourage, encouraging, encouragement, hope, light, podcast, Sean

The Trixie Belden books are one of many kid detective series that have been popular over the years, and podcast guest Darla Rennegarbe is a lifelong fan. We chat about reading as an escape from pesky brothers, fortuitous bookstore purchases, and the power of books to foster empathy in a young reader. Also, Darla fires the first shot at Nancy Drew!You can follow Darla and her bookish life on Instagram @DarlaReads. You can follow both me and the podcast on Instagram @ShapedByStoriesDiane. Show notes and links to subscribe and download the podcast can be found on the show's website www.shapedbystories.com. Music by Kevin MacLeod: https://bit.ly/2HFHGJq.

Comfy Cozy Show Notes EPISODE 1: What was the first cozy you ever read?Intro/ Premise of the show:Etta (aspiring cozy novelist) and Deb (her skeptical mother) discuss all things about traditional mysteries with an emphasis on cozy mysteries (i.e. Cozies) Format of the show: Question and Answer session. One of us will pose a weekly question that we both answer. · Similar to Writer’s Well (with wonderful hosts J. Thorn and Rachael Herron) Rules: NO SPOILERS! Just a quick warning, --Our shows will contain some good-natured teasing about the cozy genre. We obviously really like cozies so don’t take it too seriously. QUESTION: What was the first cozy you ever read? · Deb- Nancy Drew· Etta- Yeah, I remember you got me into those (Trixie Belden, etc.) BUT Those are just kid books, right?· Deb-- Agatha Christie· Etta-- Hannah Swensen Series by Joanne Fluke Timeline-weekly. We’ll give you a peak of the book we’ll use for our discussion. But there’s no need to have read them. Again… no spoilers… just quirky questions and “delightful” conversation. NEXT WEEK: Domestic Mystery—Lillian Jackson Braun (ie Cat Stuff) It is on my shelf: The cat who dropped a bombshell, the cat who went bananas, and the cat who wasn’t there Got them from the library sale a few years back. They’re hardcover. CLASSY! And they smell nice and musty. To the sleuths listening… what was your first cozy? And do YA books count as cozies?Like what you hear? Remember to subscribe on your podcasting poison of choice. Rate it, Share it, and Play along with the rest of the sleuths by finding us on twitter (AT ettawelk), commenting on our website (ettawelk.com/ComfyCozy) or sending us a somewhat old fashioned email: Ettawelk AT gmail DOT com.Until next time --Keep Comfy Cozy See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Intro Hello and welcome to Books Between -  a podcast for teachers, parents, librarians, and anyone who wants to connect kids between 8-12 to books they’ll love. I’m your host, Corrina Allen - 5th grade teacher, a mom of two girls (10 and 12), and muddling through some allergies. So if you are wondering why I sound “off” - we can blame all those plants trying to have babies!  A quick reminder before we get started that you can find transcripts and interview outlines of every episode - along with lots of other great middle great content over at MGBookVillage.org. This is episode #73 and today’s show starts off with a discussion about strong endings to the school year and then I share with you a conversation with Tina Athaide- author of Orange for the Sunsets. Main Topic - Finishing the Year Strong Our main topic today is ending the school year with your students with strength and purpose. And wrapping up those final weeks together in a way that allows for both reflection on their reading lives and a way to step forward into a summer that builds on the successes of the previous year. It’s like the school year is the runway and the summer is the solo flight after take-off! If you haven’t been building those reading habits all year long, then… well that lift off is going to fall flat.  But - there are some things that we can do to plan for a strong transition from that supportive classroom reading community to a strong independent reading life. For me, my school year up here in New York doesn’t end for another five weeks but lots of my friends are already wrapping up their school year so I thought it would be a good time to discuss this topic. And whether you are a parent, or a librarian, or a teacher there will be something in today’s show that you will find useful. First, we’ll talk building in time for reflection and what that can look like. Then, I’ll discuss some ways for students to celebrate and share the reading they’ve enjoyed during the past school year. And finally, I’ll chat about how to usher them into summer with a solid reading plan and hopefully some books in their hands. Reflection One of the most effective ways to cap off your school year is with some time for reflection and feedback. And there are a few options for you to consider. A student survey for YOU to grow as a teacher. So this would involve asking your students questions to help get feedback to help you improve. These  questions might be - What was your favorite read aloud this year?  What strategies helped you grow the most as a reader? Did you prefer partner reading or book clubs and why? What types of reading responses helped you get the most of your reading?  Should we read more nonfiction? What books should we get for our classroom library? Pernille Ripp uses these types of surveys exceptionally well, and I’ll link to her website to get some ideas for you to try and to tweak. It’s also really important that students get the opportunity to write about and discuss their own reading habits and growth - for their own self-reflection. In that case, since the purposes are very different, the questions you ask your students will be different. And if you’ve helped them build that habit of keeping good track of their reading, this will be a thousand times easier. These questions might be along the lines of - How many books did you read this year? How does that compare to last year?  Of the books you’ve read, how many were non-fiction? How many were graphic novels? Written by a person of color? Written by a man? Were historical fiction? What was your favorite book you’ve read? How many books did you abandon and why? Those questions that dig a bit deeper are so powerful - especially when given the opportunity to share those thoughts with others. Another way that you can have your students doing some powerful thinking and reflection about the books they are offered is by guiding them through a diversity audit of your classroom collection or library. If you want details about this, I’ve discussed it in more depth in episode 28 (which I will link to in the show notes), but I highly recommend you try this at least one time with your class. And it doesn’t have to be an analysis of all the books in your library. Maybe it’s just a 15 minute check of the biographies together with two or three guiding questions.  At the end of the year -it’s all about using the time you have flexibly and well. A great self-reflection method I just bumped into again recently was Pernille Ripp’s post (called “On Reading Rewards”) about having students create an award for themselves to celebrate their own achievement - whether that’s reading 35 books, or discovering a new genre, or just finding one book they really liked. I’ll link to her post with the full description and to the site where you can get those free Reading Certificate templates for students.   Celebration & Sharing Along with opportunities for self-reflection and thinking about their own reading accomplishments during the previous year, I think it’s also so important to give students a chance to show off those accomplishments! One educator that I follow on Twitter (Cassie Thomas - @mrs_cmt1489), had her students gather a stack of every book they’ve read during the year and took a picture of them with that book stack! What  powerful way to see how what a year’s worth of reading looks like! Another popular (and powerful) way to have students both reflect on their reading and share it, is to have them create a top ten (or so) list. I’ve absolutely modified that to a Top 5 or Top 3 list for those kiddos who were rather daunted by coming up with ten titles.  It could be something as simple as the Top 10 Books I’ve Read This Year. Or maybe Top 5 Sports Books, 7 Books To Make You Laugh, Top 8 Books That Made Me Cry, Top 10 Books If You Like History - really the options are endless! And lend themselves well to having those quick finishers make a couple of them. In a recent video by Colby Sharp, he mentioned that he has his class share the lists with him in a Google doc where he complies them, prints out all the lists, and then sends the lists home with the kids for the summer!  So if they are ever looking for a book suggestion, they have a ton of options from their classmates right on hand. I’m definitely doing that this year! (I’ll link to Colby’s video so you can check out his other ideas.) A third way to celebrate and share their reading? One-pagers! If you have not tried these yet - the end of the year is the perfect time!  Essentially, students go into greater depth with one of their favorite books by creating a one-page presentation. Typically they are very colorful and include strong visual elements to illuminate aspects of the book like drawings of symbols, characters, or representations of the book cover.  And the sections depend on your goals - often things like a character analysis, favorite quote, rating, or summary. My students really loved doing these and even had the idea of hanging some in our local public library. And I recently came across a great episode of The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast with guest Betsy Potash that offers some great tips and templates to use. I’ll also include a link directly to Betsy’s site if you want to see those great examples and snag those templates. One other idea to help students celebrate and share their reading is to harness the technology skills they’ve already practiced during the year for that purpose. For example, if your students are already using Flipgrid, have them use that tool to do a book talk for a favorite book, share their top ten list, or discuss patterns they noticed about their reading during the past year. If the kids are more comfortable with SeeSaw, they could do similar things with the video tool or do some annotating of their favorite books and make booksnaps about favorite books or characters.  Powerpoint or Google Slides has some cool features - especially to make charts and graphs. One piece of advice here - use technology that they are already familiar with and can work independently on. That way, while they are working, you can take care of those important, time-consuming end-of-the-year tasks like conducting final running records on each student or wrapping up some final scoring on assignments.   A Plan & Books in Their Hands The final - and maybe most important thing that you can do to better your odds at a successful launch from the supported reading life you’ve provided to your students to  taking their reading life into their own hands is to actually have them leave you with something in their hands. Namely - a plan and at least one book. A summer reading plan: Let’s talk about the plan first. This could be a formal, written plan - but honestly, at the end of the year that might be just a little too structured for summer. Instead, I like to share various ideas and options for kids to boost their reading life over the summer. And then have us all share with each other how to overcome some common obstacles. So here’s what that will look like for our class over the next couple of weeks before school ends: Creating their summer TBR list. Maybe this is based on the Top 10 Lists your class presented or maybe they build a TBR list during a trip to the library, but having that piece of paper is really helpful. Invite our wonderful children’s librarian from our local public library to come in and share with our class the awesome summer programs they have planned.  If the timing doesn’t work out for them to travel, a virtual Google Hangout visit or Skype could work, too. Our local library also used to allow for off-site library card sign-ups so check into that as well. Give the kids a list of any summer reading programs or activities you can find in your community.  Does your local bookstore have any cool book signings or summer events planned? Is there a Children’s Book Festival happening?  Does your community have a traveling library? Is there a summer book club offered at your school? Where are the locations of the Little Free Libraries in your  area? Will the local library have a booth at the Pride Festival this June? (Mine will!!!!) Introduce them to some virtual spaces where they can get reading ideas and share their reading life.  If they are old enough for social media (13 years old) - perhaps share some accounts to follow. Or encourage them to sign up for a Goodreads account. But honestly - they are most likely going to be on YouTube. So a list of great YouTubers to follow would probably be the most appreciated and actually used by your students. And if you think your students would use it, you could set up a summer reading Fligrid or SeeSaw or other digical space to them to share. I tried this last year and it was a bit of a bust, but maybe I’ll give it another go.   Alright, so…. Ideally, I’ll have those resources and ideas compiled into one document for students to take home at the end of the year. And then we’ll have a quick discussion together about which ones they want to participate in, and what are going to be obstacles.   Perhaps they can share a brief and flexible plan in their reading journal or on SeeSaw or Flipgrid. Getting books in their hands: And finally - the all important getting books in their hands before they leave for the summer! There are a few ways to do this. Have your end-of-the-year gift be a book. Right now I am in a self-contained class and have 21 students. So I can swing this by saving up Scholastic points and entering a lot of giveaways on Twitter and Goodreads.  Next year I’ll be teaching all the 5th graders, so this option might be less doable. One idea I’ve considered instead of selecting a new book for each child based on what I know of their reading life, is to let them pick out one book from our classroom library to take home to keep. Another option is to suggest your PTO/PTA give the graduating class a book as they leave the school. My PTO has done this for the last few years. And it sends a powerful message about what is important and what is valued in our school. Last year is was 365 Days of Wonder and this year will either be New Kid or a picture book like Rock What Ya Got. Another idea that I have seen be very successful is to have a book swap by encouraging families to bring in gently used books for kids to exchange. Our middle school kept them all in a brightly colored kiddie pool with a beach chair next to it. More and more libraries are doing summer check out - which I LOVE!!  So if your school is not yet one of those, maybe arm yourself with some great research and start putting a bug in the ear of the powers-that-be to make that change. Allow kids to check out books from your classroom library is another way to get books in their hands for the summer. My 5th graders are leaving to a new school. So instead, at the end of the year we had an opportunity to meet our incoming 4th grade class. And after some quick introductions, I let each child pick 2-3 books they wanted to take home and read over the summer.  Before they left, I just took a quick picture of them with their stack so I knew which books were out. But other than that, there was no check-out procedure. I like this for a few reasons. One, it shows them right away that our classroom library is the heart of our class and that I want to get to know them as people and as readers. And that whatever book they picked was fine by me. It’s all reading. Also - we’re starting from a place of trust. I trust them to take those books home and return them.  And sure, some didn’t come back. But as Donalyn Miller has so often said, “I’d rather lose a book than lose a reader.” I hope that no matter if you are a teacher, a librarian, or parent that you have found something useful in today’s discussion that will help you foster more independent readers. And no matter what time of year you may stumble across this episode, building in time for reflection, celebrating and sharing our reading lives, and making plans to read more on our own is always a great idea.   And as always, we are learning together so please share with us your ideas and successes for ending the year strong. You can connect with me on Twitter or Instagram - our handle is @books_between or email me at booksbetween@gmail.com and I’d love to share your ideas. Tina Athaide - Interview Outline This week I am thrilled to bring you an interview with debut author Tina Athaide! We chat about her research process, the novels that influenced her as a child, writing tips to pass along to the young authors in your life, and of course - her debut historical novel set in 1970s Uganda -  Orange for the Sunsets. Take a listen. Orange for the Sunsets Welcome! I’d like to start by giving you an opportunity to introduce yourself to our listeners…   I’m an educator by day and writer by night. When I started teaching in Southern CA, I was amazed how little information my students had about other cultures and ethnic groups and always thought they could learn so much from books. Thankfully these days we are seeing an increase in books written about marginalized groups by marginalized writers.   What is Orange for the Sunsets about? It set in 1972 and tells the story of Asha-an Asian Indian girl and her best friend Yesofu a Ugandan boy and how their lives are turned upside down when President Idi Amin announces that Indians have ninety days to leave the country.  Asha comes from a life of privilege, but even then it isn’t as privileged as the Europeans. Yesofu’s family works for Asha’s parents. They are servants in their own country. Idi’ Amin’s expulsion means different things for these two characters, which creates a conflict that threatens to tear apart their friendship.  This was a period in history that very few people knew about, especially here in North America and I felt it was important to share this story.   What was your research process like to make sure you were getting not only the history correct, but the 1970’s details accurate?   Without dating myself, I have to confess that I have personal connections to this story. I was born in Entebbe, but my family left just before the expulsion.. Growing up I heard many stories about life in Uganda and subsequently the horrors of the expulsion. Early drafts were solely from Asha’s point of view. Yesofu had a role in the book, but I never delved into what the expulsion meant for him. An editor that was interested in the story actually recommended that I write the book from both Asha and Yesofu’s POV.   BACK TO THE DRAWING board and revisions. Actually...rewriting the entire book!   I was Asian, writing about the Asian Indian experience. I had some knowledge about the Uganda experiences, but not enough to really give Yesofu an authentic and honesty voice. That involved research.   I spoke to Indians and Ugandans about their experiences during that period of history, beyond just family and friends. I wanted to know their opinions about Idi Amin’s expulsion, how their lives were affected.  I travelled to Kenya and spoke to Kenyan and Ugandan Africans about this time period.   What was also very helpful wasI read articles written during those ninety days from newspapers around the world. When Idi Amin originally expelled Asians, he kicked out those Indians holding British passports and citizenship.  But when he ordered all Asian Indians out of the country, the UN asked countries to open their borders and accept refugees....That included the United States. Although your story is set over 40 years ago and in a country across the globe, it has so many parallels to what’s happening in America now with the rise of populist anti-immigrant sentiment that veers in violence. Did you intentionally want to capture some of those similar sentiments?   It saddens me that in this day and age there are such close parallels between the story in Orange For the Sunset and the strong rise of anti-immigrant sentiment across the globe.  It wasn’t intentional on my part to capture those similarities, but that period of history with Idi Amin and the brutality toward Indians unfortunately mirrors current sentiments. **BONUS SPOILER SECTION: We discuss the ending of the novel, and if you’d like to hear that conversation, I moved that part of the recording to after the end credits of today’s episode at the 38:12 mark.   How has this book changed from your earlier drafts to this final version?   Were there parts that you loved but you had to edit out? Your Writing Life   What are you working on now? I have a picture book coming out in 2020 about a young child, Sita and her grandfather, Gandhi. She is spirited and full of vigor and he teaches her to give how slowing down opens you up to see and appreciate so much more in life.   I am working on a MG fantasy book about a young boy who is destined to be keeper of the Pancha Maha-Bhoota–the five great elements of nature. It weaves in elements of Hindu mythology with flying garuda and naga cobras. What is most exciting is the character travels through time to real places in India so readers will get to visit these spectacular sites.   My students and kids are always eager to hear writing advice from authors.  What’s a tip or trick that you’ve picked along the way that has helped your writing? When I finish writing the rough draft, I go through the manuscript and use different colors to highlight emotional points, plot points, dialogue.  Then I will read through the story focusing on each color and it give me a narrow and wide lens as I revise.   Your Reading Life   What are some books or authors that influenced you as a child? Growing up, there were no books in the local library or school library with people of color, so l went on adventures with Trixie Belden, Anne of Green Gables, and Anastacia Krupnik. Each in their own way those writers influenced me, even if it was to show me how books took you places different from your own world.  I loved the Narnia series by CS Lewis and Harriet the Spy and the Outsiders.   What are some books that you’ve read lately that you’d recommend to our listeners? Book Uncle and Me by Uma Krisnaswami The Bridge Home by PadmaVenkatraman The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani Drama by Raina Telgemeier   Thank you!   Links:   Tina on Twitter - @tathaide Mae on Instagram - @tinaathaide Closing   Alright - that’s it for our show this week. If you have a question about how to connect middle grade readers to books they will love or an idea about a guest we should have or a topic we should cover, I would love to hear from you. You can email me at booksbetween@gmail.com or message me on Twitter/Instagram at the handle @Books_Between.   Thank you so much for joining me this week. You can find an outline of interviews and a full transcript of all the other parts of our show at MGBookVillage.org.  And, if you are liking the show, please help others find us too by telling a friend, sharing on social media, or leaving a rating on iTunes or Stitcher.   Talk with you soon!  Bye!  

Craving noir? Dig in and find out what happens when a down-on-his-luck reporter gets caught in the cross-hairs of the one woman he's never been able to forget. Is it love? Or does she have an ulterior motive that just might get him killed? I'm your host, Cathy McCarthy, but I also write fiction under the pseudonym C. Mack Lewis and this is my short story. I was born in South Jersey, the land of Silk City diners, nuclear plants, corn fields and the Jersey Devil. My youth was spent reading voraciously, everything from Trixie Belden's (in the vain hope that Jim would slip Trixie the tongue) to my Aunt Mary Ellen's steamy bodice-ripping novels to anything in the stack of books my dad brought home from the library every Saturday, which got me hooked on the novels of Robert Ludlum and Donald E. Westlake.After earning a degree in Marketing at Auburn University, I spent the next five years in the business world, which is a polite way of saying that I had eleven jobs in a five year period, including door to door sales, skip tracing people who didn't want to be found, repossessing cars and collecting on defaulted student loans. During this five-year period, I did an in-depth study of abnormal psychology and sociopathic behavior - and then I divorced him.I didn't have enough money for therapy, so I decided to go to medical school where I earned a degree as a doctor of podiatric medicine. That kept me occupied for the first two years and then I had what I refer to as a 'walking nervous breakdown'. The school psychologist, Terry Murphy (thank you!) helped put me back together and I finished the last two years with weekly therapy and a healthy dose of legal pharmaceuticals.My two-year surgical residency in Buffalo, New York introduced me to a new world of human behavior, including junkies, addicts, criminals, punks, S&M beauty queens and angry housewives with ice picks.Upon graduation, I moved to Scottsdale, Arizona where I moved into my parent's guest room (my standard of living sky-rocketed!) and I took a loan to open a private practice so I could (finally!) be my own boss. I've been in practice since 2000 and I've made Phoenix magazine's 'Top Doc' list in 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016. I am passionate about podiatry and helping people who suffer from foot pain. I write the blog 'Podiatry Shoe Review', which is dedicated to helping people find good-looking shoes that are good for your feet and are pathology specific.With the money from my loan to start the practice, I hired and an old-fashioned matchmaker to find me a decent man with a career. She did find me a lovely man whom I dated for a year and a half - and then I met my husband, whom I adore.I love being a podiatrist and I am not ready to quit my day gig to become a full-time writer - mostly because I think I would go bat-shit crazy without the grounding (and humbling) force of dealing with the complex, subtle and fascinating world of feet. No, I do not have a foot fetish, but one does become fond of feet when they start paying for your mortgage and vacations.My screenplay OH BROTHER won the Phoenix Film Festival screen writing competition in 2005 and was optioned by Gold Circle Films in 2008. I'm the author of GUNNING FOR ANGELS and BLACK MARKET ANGELS, which are the first two books in THE FALLEN ANGELS TRILOGY and I am currently working on the third and final edition, THE ANGEL WORE BLACK. I've recently published THE FIX & OTHER SHORT STORIES on Kindle because I decided that an ebook online was a better place to store my short stories than in a box in the basement.I hope you enjoy my stories! They were born from my passion for storytelling and my demented sense of what constitutes a grand ole time.For more information on my books, click on https://cmacklewis.com/

Ava's Cozy Corner welcomes Author Lisa B. Thomas. Lisa discusses her books, the stories behind the books, and her writing process. Born and raised in Texas, I always knew I wanted to be a writer. Finally, after thirty-three years as a high school Journalism and English teacher, I released my first novel. Having grown up reading Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, and Agatha Christie, I was drawn to the cozy mystery genre. With two grown children out of the nest, I live a simple life with my husband and my dog, Kiki. Besides writing, I enjoy playing with my grandchildren, photography, traveling, and antiquing (aka. buying and selling used junk).

Nell Goddin's mystery series set in a small French village reflects her dream life.  If she can't  inhabit it in the real world, like her readers, she can live in it through her books. Hi there I'm your host Jenny Wheeler and today Nell talks about what's so special about French village life and why indie publishing is the only way to go as far as she's concerned. Six things you'll learn from this Joys of Binge Reading episode: What Nell loves about writing a series How a childhood holiday sparked a life long affection Her passion for mysteries Why self publishing works for her The writers she admires most What she'd do differently second time around Where to find Nell Goddin:  Website: http://www.nellgoddin.com/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nellgoddinauthor/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/nellgoddin What follows is a "near as" transcript of our conversation, not word for word but pretty close to it, with links to important mentions. Jenny:  But now here's Nell. Hello there Nell and welcome to the show, it's great to have you with us… Nell: I'm thrilled to be here, thanks so much for inviting me! Nell Goddin - author Jenny:   Beginning at the beginning - was there a “Once Upon A Time” moment when you decided you wanted to write fiction?  And if there was a catalyst, what was it? Nell: I'm one of those people who wanted to be a writer from the minute I even had any idea that grown ups had jobs. I just wanted to be a writer right from the beginning. So I as a small child, would tuck a little notebook in my pocket and wander around the neighborhood, peering through people's windows. And the neighbors would smile and wave at me, and invite me in for a lemonade or something! This was not what I wanted, because I was spying on them and was trying to find out the behind the scenes story. I was a big reader from early on, and really it's the only thing I've ever wanted to do. I've done other jobs, lots other jobs. I've taught for a long time, and I liked being a teacher, but writing is really for me. Jenny: I love the picture of you as a little girl poking around the neighborhood! You're either going to be a writer or a great investigative journalist! Nell: That's right! Jenny:  And why choose the mystery genre - and set in a small French village? Nell: I chose the mystery genre, because I loved mysteries since I was very young as well. I started reading Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew, and I love them. Really, when you're at a certain age, mysteries are what is most on offer. But when I got to Agatha Christie; those really blew me away. And I think one of the reasons I liked them so much was that I was an American kid, but I was getting to go to a different country while I was solving those mysteries. I was getting to go to little English villages which I'd never seen before in my life - it was a fascinating world to me. And so when I went to write my own mystery, I thought well how can I do the same thing? I will open up a different world to people. Also as an aside, I love France so much. That I get to write and I get to imagine me living in this village, it gives me a lot of pleasure. "I just love French village life." - Nell Goddin. Jenny:  Tell us a bit more about your own affection for France - when did you first  fall in love with all things French? Nell: When I was eleven, my mum took the family to Europe for the summer. So we'd never been before- she had never been before. So my father had to stay behind and work for most of the trip, but he joined us at a certain point. We stopped in Italy first, and I was gobsmacked at how fantastic Italy was. When we got to France, it was the same thing. I felt,  (I don't want to sound too mystical about it) at eleven years old, I had come to where I belonged. I thought the food was unbelievable - I just had never eaten anything like that. I thought everything was really beautiful,

Books mentioned in this episode: ESV Study Bible (Crossway); God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life (Keller); In Search of Lost Time — Sodom and Gomorrah (Proust); Phantastes (MacDonald); Trixie Belden and the Secret of the Mansion (Campbell); Shadow Castle (Cockrell); Pride and Prejudice (Austen); Middlemarch (Eliot); Anna Karenina (Tolstoy)

Diane Vallere's mysteries are for women who like “shoes, clues and clothes” - think The Devil Wears Prada with an amateur sleuth on staff.  But that's not the only thing they have in common. They're also full of humor. Perhaps not so surprising for a writer who lives by one of Coco Chanel's favorite sayings: “You live but once; you might as well be amusing.”  Hi there I'm your host Jenny Wheeler and today Diane talks about how Doris Day movies brightened her life after divorce and how binge watching TV  makes her a better writer. Six Things you will learn from this podcast How Dianne came to love Doris Day as a feisty role model Her role in discovering Spanx  How she keeps five different series alive and pumping Why humor is important  What she'd do differently second time around Revealed: Her favorite "binge read" authors Where to find Diane Vallere: Website: www.dianevallere.com Facebook and Twitter https://www.facebook.com/DianeVallereAuthor/ and @DianeVallere. What follows is not a word for word transcript but "near as" repeat of our conversation with links to all the  important points. Jenny: But now, here's Diane. Hello there Diane, and welcome to the show, it's great to have you with us. Diane: Thank you, it's great to be here. Author Diane Vallere Jenny: Beginning at the beginning- was there a 'Once Upon a Time' moment when you realised you really wanted to write fiction, and if you didn't achieve that goal your life would be the poorer for it? If so, what was the catalyst? Diane: I grew up loving children's mystery series, and for a long time I had wanted to write a children's mystery series, like a Trixie Belden. But I didn't have any ideas, so it was more a general thought. Then I was working in retail one day, and I had an idea for an adult woman who discovers the dead body of her boss on the first day of her new job. It was kind of like an adult version of a children's mystery series, and once that happened it all clicked; once I had that idea, I became very driven to sit down and write it. It wasn't just this general thought cloud anymore. Jenny: It sounds like a slightly psychological situation. Did you secretly want to get to your boss! Diane: My first victim was someone I worked for, so there was a bit of working through aggression I guess! Jenny: You've now got five series which range from cosy mysteries to comedy and "Chick Lit". I guess that's going to encapsulate quite a long story in a fairly short frame, but how did you evolve to five different series? Diane: Well I started writing about the former fashion buyer turned amateur sleuth. That came very naturally to me, because my background is in fashion and retail. Some Like It Haute by Diane Vallere I felt those were the books I could write, but when I got the idea for Madison Night- the interior decorator who has modelled her life after Doris Day- those were the books I didn't know I could write. I had grown up a little in that time - I had gone through things emotionally in my personal life, and that was reflected in the series. It allowed me to see that different parts throughout my life connected to different emotions  of a character so when I came up with an idea for someone, I could then identify with a time in my life and say "this is what this character is feeling and working through". That's what allowed me to keep coming up with different people and keep them separate. Jenny: Sure. Perhaps if we mention that the first series was the Samantha Kidd 'Style & Era' series, and you've now done seven books in that sefries. When they were initially launched, they were described as "Devil Wears Prada meets Murder She Wrote" which is quite a neat little way of encapsulating them, isn't it! Diane: Yes, it is. I'm delighted with that quote! Jenny: And then Madison, she's 47 - I just happened to notice that she is perhaps a little older than some of the heroines of these t...

J.K. Rowling is, as usual, everyone's problematic fave, and Ariana reminds us of some of the Harry Potter universe's highest and lowest points - canon nonwithstanding. Less problematic: Brittany's discovery of the legendary Ursula K Le Guin, and Natalie's return to reading her comfy old Trixie Belden mysteries. Also, The Only Gilmore Girl returns as Brit explains her stress over people engaging with her about her favorite shows. Where does this possessiveness come from? Does everyone experience it? And do we have any Republican listeners? If so... sorry about the intro. Each episode, our Not About The Weather hosts and their guests will bring an obsession to share and a grievance to air from the their experiences in the world of pop culture, fandom, or sometimes, just plain old life. #ANA - Ask NATW Anything: "What do you think of Donald Glover casting as Lando?" Follow us on EVERYTHING: Twitter // Facebook // Instagram // Tumblr // iTunes Visit natwpodcast.com or email natwpodcast@gmail.com for more information about our shows. Feel free to leave us your questions or comments through any of these mediums! This episode’s hosts are: Natalie Fisher, Ariana Quiñónez and Brittany Lovely. Resources/Recommendations: Remus/Sirius in canon The Shoebox Project Ilvermorny's Questionable History Ursula K Le Guin - Library of America Trixie Belden bibliography The Thinning trailer Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life trailer Donald Glover's letter about quitting Community Hollywood Reporter - 7-Year-Old's review of Return of the Jedi  

Intro   Hi and Welcome to Books Between - a podcast to help teachers, parents, and librarians connect kids between 8-12 to books they’ll love. I’m your host, Corrina Allen - a 5th grade teacher, a mom of two girls, and super excited about my Hermione Granger Halloween costume this year!   This is Episode #9 and today we’re talking about common classroom library mistakes (and how to fix them), three spooky series, and I’ll answer a question about read aloud options for a 4th grade class.   Main Topic - Common Classroom Library Mistakes (And How to Fix Them) - Part 1   It’s pretty clear just how important it is to have a library within your classroom. In fact, our main focus of Episode #2 was all about why your students need that vibrant classroom library. But I will admit that I’ve made some major mistakes that really limited how effective my classroom could be.  In fact - when I went to go list them all, it ended being too much for one episode. So this one will be a two-parter. And if you are a librarian or parent listening today, there’s still a lot you can take away from today’s topic when thinking about your books and other materials you have for your kids.  So here are six common mistakes that teachers sometimes make with their classroom libraries - and some ideas on how to fix them.   #1 - Not getting rid of old books. This took me so long to learn. It literally still PAINS me to even think about just throwing away a book.  But about a year ago, I started to notice that copies of old, yellowed, dusty titles with ripped pages and outdated cover art were taking up a lot of precious real estate in my class. And for no reason - they were NEVER getting checked out. They just didn’t have any curb appeal. And they were bringing down the overall vibe of our library.   So give yourself permission to purge. Finally just last year I let myself take the 12 tattered copies of The Voyages of Dr. Doolittle and those other musty old books and box them up and put them away. And I truly felt guilty about that. Some were donations from parents or other teachers.  It’s okay to recycle them.   #2 - Not having an easy check-out system.   I’ve tried just about every system on the block - from a simple form on a clipboard for name, date and title to using the Booksource App where students scan the barcode on the book to check out and then check it in.  But eventually I found that even the seemingly quick and simple act of writing down their name and the title of the book was slowing down that free exchange of books and had the unintended effect of kids not wanting to check books out of the library because it was too cumbersome.  Also - it added a small element of tension when kids would forget to sign a book back in or keep it out too long. And I want the tone of our library to be all positive.   I do know that many teachers are having success with quick procedures and systems to check out books.  I just have never been able to make it work. So as much as I would love a beautifully ordered library where I know the whereabouts of every title - it’s more important to me that kids can swap books easily with each other and there’s no barrier to trying something. For example, just yesterday I pulled a stack of 5 books that Logan might like, set them on his desk, and he was free to browse them leisurely and bring one or two home to read.  Do I have books Missing in Action?  Yeah - you bet! But I’m willing to risk it so my students have more access to books. And they also really appreciate being trusted in that way.   #3 - Not changing how books are displayed So for example, for months I had my bins of Realistic Fiction front and center in my classroom library. They were top shelf - most visible and most checked out.  While my biographies and historical fiction languished on the bottom shelf. And I didn’t even think anything of it until I switched them on a whim one afternoon and noticed that - a ha! -  more kids were taking out the biographies and historical fiction when they didn’t have to bend over to get them. Also - if you have your library organized by bins - another idea is to switch which title is in the front sometimes.     #4 - Not having enough non-fiction I have to say - this has been a major error on my part, and I’m still working on fixing it.  I tend love the story - a heartfelt narrative. And I didn’t intend to ignore non-fiction, I just had blinders on.  But I’ve been hearing from a lot of other teachers who are in the same boat. So - I’ve made a conscious effort to get more informational books for my students and listen for topics they are interested in. The more I started to pay attention to non-fiction, the more I realized how many fantastic titles are out there now. And I made a deal with myself that I would get at least one non-fiction title every time I bought books.     #5 - Not Having a Clear Organizational System It’s tough to keep a classroom library organized - our days are hectic, and it’s all you can do sometimes to keep up with everything. But having some system in place is really key. Whether you alphabetize by author’s last name, sort by genre, or pick a different route - make sure your students know where to find things and also how to put them back. Another fantastic idea that I’ve seen is to get your students’ input about how to organize the classroom library and have them in charge of it. If you do that at the beginning of the year, what an amazing way to have them examine every book offered and take some ownership of it.   #6 - Not having student input into what books are included in the library.   When I first got my own classroom, I could not wait to stock it full of my own favorites from my childhood - Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden mysteries, all the Little House books, my extensive (and yellowed) collection of Baby-Sitters Club novels, and tons of Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary books.  But honestly, the 6th graders I had at the time rarely checked them out.   Instead - have your students help you. One thing I’ve seen teachers do is post a Wishlist on the wall next to your bookshelves so when students have an idea of a title you should have, they just jot it down.  Then you can take that list with you when you’re headed to your local bookstore or submitting your Scholastic order, and you KNOW you’re getting books they want to read. It also helps to simply listen when they rave about a favorite series or author so you can include those as you build your library.  Making sure that the student’s choices are at the forefront really drives home the fact that this library is THEIRS - not all about you. And I think they’re more likely to get attached to that library when they know their voices are heard and their opinion matters.   This is a big topic and we’ll continue it in the next episode. But for now, what classroom library mistakes have you made and more importantly - how did you go about fixing them? Let’s connect and learn from each other. You can tag me on Twitter or Instagram or email me at booksbetween@gmail.com and I’ll share some of your thoughts and ideas in an upcoming episode! Book Talk - Three Spooky Series   In this segment, I share with you three books centered around a theme and discuss three things to love about each book. This week I’m sharing three delightfully spooky series: The Haunted Library, 43 Old Cemetery Road, and The Books of Elsewhere.   The Haunted Library   The first book we’re talking about today is The Haunted Library by Dori Hillestad Butler. It’s about a young ghost named Kaz who finds himself separated from his ghost family when the old schoolhouse they were living in is demolished and they are all carried off in different directions by the wind. Kaz ends up in a library where he meets a girl named Claire - unique because she can see ghosts and hear them when they talk. Among his problems, Kaz doesn’t like to pass through objects or walls like other ghosts so his movements are limited. And Kaz is very afraid of Claire and all the non-ghost humans he encounters. At least at first. Eventually Claire and Kaz do team up to figure out the identify of the ghost who is haunting the library. So here are three things to love about Dori Butler’s The Haunted Library:   Fun Glossary  - At the front of the book is a one page list of really cute ghostly terms used in the novel. Again - this is a cute spooky and not a scary spooky book. For example, “skizzy” is when a ghost feels sick to their stomach - like when people walk through Kaz. At one point he even pukes on Claire! And “Solids” are what ghosts call living humans and animals and also objects they can’t see through. Illustrations - There are lots of black and white drawings throughout the book, and I love that vintage 50’s style that Aurore Damant has captured here. It fits the tone perfectly. Plus the little details of the dotted scrolls around each page number and the matching chapter headings add that special touch of ornamentation that makes you feel like you are reading something well put-together. The fun of figuring out the rules of the supernatural system in this series. That is part of what I think makes fantasy so fun to read because you have to figure out that world. Just like when I start a new vampire book and I ask myself, Okay - are these sparkle in the sun Twilight-type vampires or are they sizzle in the sun Sookie Stackhouse-type vampires? Or something entirely different? In The Haunted Library, we’re asking ourselves - Can the ghosts eat? Do they sleep? Can they make sounds that humans can hear? And most interestingly here - where do they come from? Typically, ghosts are presented as the souls of once living people, but in this world, they seem to have no memory of a past life and they have families with kids and grandparents. Almost like they are from another parallel dimension. There is SO much to explore in this series and so much get your kids wondering.   The Haunted Library is really cute and not too scary. At 125 pages with larger print, it’s perfect for younger middle grade readers or older kids who want something light and playful.  And there are at least 8 in the series so there’s plenty of semi-spooky fun to look forward to.   43 Old Cemetery Road   Another fun and spooky series is 43 Old Cemetery Road by Kate Klise with illustrations by M. Sarah Klise, her sister. The first book in the series, Dying to Meet You, is the story of a formerly-famous children’s book author, Ignatius B. Grumply, who rents an old run down Victorian house on Cemetery Road. He thinks he’s getting a quiet place to write his latest overdue novel so his publisher will get off his back and he can get out of debt. Instead, he discovers that he is sharing the house with a ghost (he doesn’t believe in ghosts), a young boy (he hates kids), and a cat (he’s allergic to cats). And there begins the conflicts and hilarity. This series had some of my most devoted fans last year. And with good reason. Here are three reasons my students and I loved about this book and this series:   Character’s Names - The wordplay in these books are oh-so-clever - especially with the names of the characters. Grumply’s publisher is called Paige Turner, his real estate agent is Anita Sale, the young boy living in the house is Seymour Hope, and the ghost is Olive C. Spence.  It’s just a really fun read. How letters and articles tell the story - The 43 Old Cemetery Road series is the perfect way to introduce your kid to the term “epistolary novel.” And boy do they get it right here. The letters from each character have their own clear tone and their own individual font. Your kids will love the articles and drawings that go with the letters and it’s a book that you can read quickly. The authors - Kate & Sarah Klise are sisters and have teamed up to write an impressive number of really fun books like The Three-Ring Rascals series and the Regarding series, which are also mysteries told in letter form. My students really got into exploring their website and blog last year where they share letters they get from fans and pictures from their travels. I just LOVE them - and they make such a great team.   If you want to know more about the 43 Old Cemetery Road books, take a peek at their website kateandsarahklise.com. And I’ll pop a link to that right in the shownotes for you.   The Books Of Elsewhere   Our last featured spooky series this week is The Books of Elsewhere by Jacqueline West. The first book, The Shadows, is about an eleven-year-old girl named Olive who has recently moved into a spectacularly creepy house. When the previous owner, Mrs. McMartin, died without heirs, everything was left behind - including books, clothes, and dozens of mysterious paintings that will not budge from the walls. Olive’s parents, both genius Math scholars, are a little distracted and Olive has the run of house. So she sets off to explore every nook and cranny and eventually notices that there are windows on the outside that don’t match the rooms on the inside. When she finds an antique pair of spectacles, she realizes that she can go into any painting in the house. And the story gets deliciously dark from there…  So on to three things to love about The Books of Elsewhere: The Cats - Like any great paranormal mystery, there are strange cats in this novel. In fact, I just realized that all the three books I’ve talked about today have cats in them. In this book - we get three: Horatio, Harvey, and Leopold.  Olive first discovers that something is magical in this house when Horatio jumps through her bedroom window and has a conversation with her about being on her guard in the house. What I enjoyed the most about the cats were that you couldn’t tell whose side they were on. Morton - Morton is a young boy who Olive discovers hiding in one of the creepiest, darkest paintings in the house - the one big painting of the moonlight and dark forest. Morton is dressed in an old-fashioned white nightshirt and when Olives tries to ask him questions, he’s both confused and stubborn all at the same time. Eventually we piece together the clues about where (and when) he might have come from, and oh - poor Morton! The House - Much like Jason Segel and Kristin Miller’s book Nightmares and Clive Barker’s The Thief of Always, the house in this book seems to have its own personality. It’s beyond haunted and seems to try to lure Olive into its grasp. Like many old Victorian houses, this one has a terrifying basement. And a chilling secret.   The Haunted Library, 43 Old Cemetery Road, and The Books of Elsewhere are three great paranormal series for getting into the perfect creepy mood - whether that’s in October or anytime of year.   Q & A Our last segment this week is Question & Answer time.   Question: Within the span of a week, I had two friends ask essentially the same question: “What are some great and engaging read-alouds for 4th graders?”   Answer: I have three suggestions. (If you haven’t noticed, I kinda like the number three….)     Suggestion #1 - Deborah and James Howe’s Bunnicula I am reading this out loud right now to my own 4th grader, and it has really held up well from my own memory of it. And I had totally forgotten that cool editor’s note at the beginning that says the manuscript was dropped off by a dog who claims to be the author. So now you have to wonder - is this dog really a reliable narrator or does he have his own agenda?   Suggestion #2 - Phil Bildner’s A Whole New Ballgame   I’ve talked about the Rip & Red series previously in Episode #4 but it is worth another plug. This book is fast-paced fun with likeable characters going through real-life school related stuff. I have no doubt 4th graders would love it.   My third suggestion that would be a phenomenal 4th grade read aloud is Peter Brown’s The Wild Robot - It’s about a shipwrecked robot named Roz who gets washed up on the shore of an island inhabited only by animals. And she ends up caring for an orphaned gosling and making a mark on the island. It’s just so different than anything else out there and the small chapters work perfectly to read aloud during the small moments of your day. Plus - doing the voice of Roz is a riot. I had more fun reading this book out loud than any other novel I’ve ever read aloud. Those are my three suggestions for awesome 4th grade read alouds - Bunnicula, A Whole New Ballgame, and The Wild Robot. You can’t go wrong any of them! Closing   Alright - that’s it for the Q&A section this week. If you have a question about how to connect middle grade readers to books they’ll love or an idea about a topic we should cover, I really would love to hear from you. You can email me at booksbetween@gmail.com or message me on Twitter/Instagram at the handle @Books_Between.   Thank you so much for joining me this week. You can get a full transcript of this show with links to every book and resource I talked about today by going to BooksBetween.com/9 which will take you to our home at All the Wonders where you can discover other wonderful kidlit resources. And, if you are liking the show, please help others find us too by telling a friend, sharing on social media or leaving a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you in a couple of weeks!  Bye!