Happy 2026! The world is on fire! But at least there are still books (for now). My first episode of the new season is the awesome Carmela Dutra! Her debut cozy mystery, A MURDER MOST FOWL, is laugh out loud funny, and hits all the right cozy points with a clever twist. Plus, the writers journey, always shooting your shot, and the process of creating these worlds!

Find Carmela: https://carmeladutra.com/

Plus, things I'm obsessed with including:

1. Owl Impressions on Tik Tok
2. New sports follows @littlebigliz (NBA) and @camlovessports (all sports) on TikTok
3. Legos. Cause I'm an adult.

Book Recommendations:

The Ruby Vaughn Mysteries by Jess Armstrong: https://writingjess.com/series/ruby-vaughn-mysteries/

The Doomed Earth Duology by Jack Campbell

The Kendra Donovan Mysteries (most recently a Twist in Time) by Julie McElwain

Find me:

www.nicoleasselinwriter.com

https://www.threads.com/@nanazlyn

www.instagram.com/nanazlyn

https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleasselin38

Nicole's Starting Lineup on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705169159907300/

Support Me!

www.ko-fi.com/baseballbooksandbanter

This is the best. Olivia Blacke is one my favorite people in the mystery world, and I was so glad she decided to come back on the podcast! She was my first ever guest when I started this journey in 2023. Now she's my final guest of 2025!

Since we last spoke, she released a new series that I'm OBSESSED with. Go get those books now to get ready for number 3. We also talk our obsession with Malice Domestic, Mia P. Manasala books, and Hank Phillipi Ryan. Plus, my every episode appeal to Diet Coke. Happy Holidays All!

Find Olivia here: https://oliviablacke.com/

Find me:

www.nicoleasselinwriter.com

https://www.threads.com/@nanazlyn

www.instagram.com/nanazlyn

https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleasselin38

Nicole's Starting Lineup on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705169159907300/

Support Me!

www.ko-fi.com/baseballbooksandbanter

Apparently your girl is now on the list of places to go when you have a new baseball book! I was so happy that Dennis Gaub reached out to me to chat about his newest book. The story of an pitcher from Montana who ended up part of the group that changed baseball free agency forever. Before we even got to talking baseball we talked about orgins of names and how Montana became home to some German/Russians. His newest book, Dave McNally: The Montanan Who Revolutionized Baseball is available now!

Plus, baseball. Obviously.

Find Dennis: https://www.treasurestatepress.com/

Find Me:

www.nicoleasselinwriter.com

https://www.threads.com/@nanazlyn

https://bsky.app/profile/nicoleasselin.bsky.social

www.instagram.com/nanazlyn

https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleasselin38

Nicole's Starting Lineup:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705169159907300/

Support Me!

www.ko-fi.com/baseballbooksandbanter