Season 1, Episode 4: Heather Webber, Author of “The Lights of Sugarberry Cove”
Heather Webber is one of the most prolific and delightful writers I know. (Full disclosure: she is also one of my best friends.) As Heather Webber, she's written two mystery series: The Nina Quinn Mysteries, featuring a landscape designer, and The Lucy...
Season 1, Episode 3: Jyotsna Sreenivasan, Author of “These Americans”
In this episode, I chat with Jyotsna Sreenivasan about her newest book, a collection of short stories and a novella, "These Americans." Jyotsna is also the author of the novel, "And Laughter Fell From The Sky." In her newest collection, she explores through fiction...
Season 1, Episode 2: Ron Rollins, Action, Abstract and Gestural Painter
In this episode, I chat with Ron Rollins, an Action, Abstract, and Gestural Painter. (He also happens to be my former newspaper editor!) We talk about what inspires his art, what drew him to his particular style of painting, childhood and other influences, and...
Introducing my new Podcast: “Tea with Jess: Chatting with Authors & Artists;” Season 1, Episode 1, Hannah Mary McKinnon
I'm excited to introduce to you my new podcast, "Tea with Jess: Chatting with Authors & Artists." The very first episode features Hannah Mary McKinnon, and we chat about her newest psychological thriller, "You Will Remember Me." Listen to it...
Dear Reader: Get to know Mabel Walker Willebrandt
While researching Prohibition for THE STILLS, set in 1927, I learned about U.S. Assistant Attorney General Mabel Walker Willebrandt, the highest-ranking woman in federal government in her day. Mabel was the second woman to receive an appointment to...
Pie of the Month: Buttermilk pie re-do—dairy free!—and precious memories
Buttermilk pie is one of my favorite spring desserts—and one of my favorite pies to make. I fell in love with the tangy-yet-sweet pie, a twist on classic cream pie, years ago at a restaurant that no longer exists: Woody’s Over-the-Road Restaurant....
“Did the Government Purposefully Poison Drinkers During Prohibition?”
My Kinship novels are set in the mid-1920s, and Prohibition was national law from 1920-1933, so of course Prohibition is a prominent thread woven into the background of the first two novels in the series. ...
Happy Independent Bookstore Day!
Of course every day can be Independent Bookstore Day, but hurrah for independent bookstores having a special celebration day! Independent bookstore owners and workers deserve a big thank you for all they do to connect authors and readers. You can learn more...
“Tea with Jess”–Chatting with Author Jessica Strawser
(Most) every Monday, I produce a live video of "Tea with Jess," in which I take a tea break and share a brief reading, thoughts on a topic, or a chat with another author. Today's "Tea with Jess" features Jessica Strawser, whose newest novel, "A Million...
Dear Reader: Gone Fishin’, and Wishin’ for a Happy, Healthy 2021
I originally shared this in my December email newsletter, but I wanted to share this with you here, as well: I’m certainly not the first to make this comment, and I know I won’t be the last, but… 2020. Wow. What a year. I have so much to be thankful for,...
