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In this episode, I chat with Noël Stark about her debut romantic comedy novel, LOVE, CAMERA, ACTION.

Noël Stark has worked in almost every position in the Film and Television industry, both in front of and behind the camera. Although she’s Canadian, she lives in L.A. with her young son, desperately missing winter. She likes chocolate milk in her coffee and gets most of her real-world intel from her three stepkids.

Here's the synopsis of Love, Camera, Action:

A scrappy TV director lands her big break only to go head-to-head with the surly yet sexy director of photography, in this page-turning romance perfect for fans of Ava Wilder and Tessa Bailey.

Up-and-coming TV director Cali Daniels knows sex. Well, okay, she knows how to shoot sex scenes, and she’s been hired to direct a highly anticipated steamy episode of the popular series The Demon. This job is her chance at a big-time career in the film and television industry—all she has to do is deliver an unparalleled show using her hard-knock know-how and ample creativity.

If only the director of photography—effortlessly sexy Jory Blair—would stop shutting her ideas down at every turn. Jory has spent years cultivating his career as an A-list director of photography, but a recent health scare has him rethinking his life and craving the director spot. Now this creative newbie, who he can’t get out of his mind, wants to change the look of his show. Even worse, the friction between them is sparking into blistering chemistry.

As collaborating takes on a whole new meaning, and the show’s producer not-so-subtly suggests that Jory sabotage Cali in order to achieve his own goals, they’ll have to decide if chasing their dream jobs is worth losing the dream of a future together.

Noël Stark

LOVE, CAMERA, ACTION, Noël Stark

Project Hail Mary, Andy Weir

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In this episode, I chat with my friend and fellow author interviewer, Sara DiVello. Sara is a thriller author, and creator and host of Mystery and Thriller Mavens, a popular author interview series and interactive Facebook group. We met at the San Diego Writers Festival and have since become friends. Sara's boundless energy and verve for life and literature are contagious. Sara is a gem!

Have you ever stumbled upon the ruins of a castle in suburban America? For Sara DiVello, that chance discovery sparked a decade-long journey to uncover one of the Jazz Age's most fascinating unsolved murders.

Sara shares the remarkable story behind her historical thriller, Broadway Butterfly. The book resurrects the forgotten 1923 murder of Dot King, a case that implicated one of America's wealthiest families and exposed the complex social dynamics of Prohibition-era New York.

With candor and warmth, Sara reveals her own compelling journey from corporate burnout to published author. After a pivotal moment watching her mother face terminal illness, Sara confronted the question we all eventually face: if time were limited, would you spend it as you are now? This revelation led her to abandon her stable but unfulfilling career to pursue writing, with yoga teaching providing both financial support and the mental clarity essential for creativity.

What makes this conversation truly exceptional is Sara's deep dive into her meticulous research process. Drawing from over 1,800 primary sources, she reconstructed not just the crime but the textured world of 1920s Manhattan—from the cigarette-littered floors of newspaper offices to the complex racial dynamics facing Black Americans who had migrated north. Her approach to writing characters outside her own experience, particularly Ella Bradford (a Black woman in 1923), demonstrates remarkable care and ethical consideration.

Sara illuminates the eerie parallels between 1923 and today. "How much has changed and how little has changed," she observes, noting society's persistent fixation on controlling women's bodies and choices, and our collective reluctance to confront uncomfortable historical truths.

Ready to discover why forgotten stories like Dot King's matter now more than ever? Listen now, and consider what voices from our past still deserve to be heard.

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Step into Philadelphia's only Spanish-English bookstore, where literature becomes a powerful bridge connecting communities and celebrating cultural heritage. The Julia de Burgos Bookstore, named after Puerto Rico's most celebrated poet, offers more than just books—it provides a sanctuary where Puerto Rican and Latinx voices take center stage.

Lisa Moser, the bookstore's passionate manager, shares her journey from language enthusiast to literary curator. With a background in Spanish and theology, Lisa discovered what she calls "the dream job I didn't know existed" at Taller Puertorriqueño, a 50-year-old cultural center where the bookstore resides. This non-profit organization serves as a vibrant hub for Puerto Rican culture through after-school programs, art exhibitions, community events, and its unique bookstore.

The emotional impact of representation resonates throughout our conversation. Lisa recounts how visitors sometimes tear up upon entering a space where every book reflects Puerto Rican or Latinx authorship—"these are the books I wish I had when I was a kid," one visitor shared. This poignant reaction underscores why children's books are their bestsellers, as parents seek to affirm their children's cultural identity from an early age.

Beyond the carefully curated book selection focusing on BIPOC, queer, and women writers, the store showcases handcrafted items from local artists and Puerto Rican artisans. These exclusive partnerships make them one of the only U.S. locations selling certain Puerto Rican-made goods. Every purchase supports Taller Puertorriqueño's community programs, creating a virtuous cycle of cultural preservation and education.

Philadelphia has the second-largest Puerto Rican population in the United States, giving the bookstore deep community roots. The bookstore collaborates with nearby schools (including one named after Julia de Burgos), hosts bilingual storytimes, and offers cultural tours. Lisa finds particular joy in making personalized recommendations, connecting visitors with books that reflect their unique experiences and interests.

Discover how this literary haven honors Julia de Burgos' legacy of anti-colonialism, feminism, and cultural pride while building bridges between languages, generations, and communities. Follow their journey on Instagram or visit shoptallerpr.org to explore their collection and support this vital cultural institution.

Cantoras, Caro De Robertis

Julia De Burgos Books

https://www.history.com/articles/puerto-rico-great-migration-postwar

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