Cliffhangers and Cocktails
Fantasy book discussions, author interviews, cocktail recipes (and drinking!), and witchy content. Hosted by Shéa MacCleod and Amy Cissell, USA Today Bestselling Authors of urban fantasy, cozy mysteries, paranormal women's fiction, and all things magical and wonderful.
Episodes
Welcome to minisode #4! Today, our craft topic is Craft Cocktails, and we're going to take you through a tequila sunrise. The recipe is below if you want to follow along as we make it and discuss the magical properties of all the ingredients!
Recipe
1 ½ oz tequila (pour in bottom of glass) – Made from the agave plant, carries the energy of rejuvenation
4 oz orange juice with 1 Tablespoon lemon (top the tequila) – Citrus brin...
This is part 2 of our interview with Clark Rowenson. We'll talk about the recently past Harvest Moon and listen to Clark and Shea discuss the magic system in her book "Potions, Poisons, & Peril."
LINKS!
Shea's magic systems: Potions, Poisons, and Perils!
https://crrowenson.com/ (Want to get your magic systems reviewed? Check out Clark's services! https://crrowenson.com/services/)
Youtube: The Magic Engineer
Join us for our Mabon minisode. We do a brief overview of the history, then talk about themes, rituals, and how to celebrate!
Shea had her custom Mabon Old Fashioned. She made some tweaks to her original recipe - so feel free to do the same!
Recipe makes 2 drinks.
4 oz bourbon
2 oz prickly pear syrup
2 oz blackberry puree
1 oz lime juice
4 dashes orange bitters
-Shake with ice, pour in (two) glasses & garnish with a cherry.
Amy als...
This is part 1 of our interview with Clark Rowenson. We'll talk about the recently past Corn Moon and Clark's author & coaching journey.
Grab your Sex on the Beach -
Ingredients:
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 oz peach schnapps
- 3 oz orange juice
- 3 ounces cranberry juice
- Ice (optional)
- Cocktail cherry for garnish (optional)
Add all ingredients except ice to glass. Stir it well while focusing on your intention. Add ice if preferred, an...
Welcome to our second "craft" mini-sode. This week we're talking about the craft of plotting and writing the first draft.
If you want to read Shea's book on journaling to write faster, you can grab it on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071HMFYGJ
Follow the pod on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/, check out our website at https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/ and sig...
Welcome to episode 11 with Urban Fantasy author C. Thomas Lafollette.
Join Amy (ON LOCATION IN PORTUGAL) as we talk to C. Thomas about his book A Shot for Death (book 1 in his Red City Reaper series), tea, the Salmon Moon (August's full moon), tinned fish carnival stores, and, most importantly gin and tonic.
GIN & TONIC
1 part gin to 3 parts tonic (or to taste - Amy is more of a 1:2 kinda witch). Pour over ice, give it a st...
Welcome to episode 10 where we interview massage therapist, reiki practitioner, and MOST IMPORTANTLY (to this episode), crystal chakra-balancing therapist. If you're in the Portland area and need any of these services (hint: you do), head to her website at www.satyaspace.com
In addition to a great interview, Samantha provided some resources for those interested in learning more about crystals and crystal therapy.
Welcome to our Lughnasa Minisode!
Bread recipe (Alas, not the one discussed, but also super easy!): https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/no-knead-crusty-white-bread-recipe
Seasons of the Witch Lammas Oracle by Juliet Diaz and Lorriane Anderson: https://www.rockpoolpublishing.com/seasons-of-the-witch-lammas-oracle
Finally - follow the pod on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/, check out our websit...
On today's episode, we interview author extraordinaire Loretta Hignett, talk about every day magic, and reveal an upcoming exciting guest (REDACTED).
You can find Lauretta at the following places:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lauretta-Hignett/author/B079ZPLXNL
https://www.instagram.com/laurettahignett/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/laurettasravenousreaders/
If you want to (metaphorically) drink w...
Find Red Tash at: https://planettash.com/
Her books are available at all major retailers: https://planettash.com/red-tash/
And you can follow her on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/theplanettash/
Today’s Oracle Deck is the Seasons of the Witch Litha deck by Juliet Diaz. You can get your very own at: https://www.rockpoolpublishing.com/juliet-diaz
Find Shéa on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sheamacleodauthor/
Amy is at: h...
Find Joany's Facebook Page No Doubt Rocks: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576663238253
Her YouTube page is: https://www.youtube.com/@wickedmerry
And her Etsy page is: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WickedMerryCreations
Obviously, go watch all her Hallmark Christmas movies immediately!
The Litha deck we used in this episode is by Juliet Diaz, and you can get it at Rockpool Pub...
Welcome to episode 6 where we discuss the waning moon, Gemini Gin cocktails, and interview paranormal romance writer Anastasia Wild and learn all about her new series under the pen name Hollie Moon!
You can find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anastasiawildeauthor/
And her books are on Amazon in Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anastasia-Wilde/author/B01MEEF0NW?ccs_id=138d7001-80e6-4c72-ad50-17...
Soo.... this is a bit on the late side. A combo of technical issues and broken feet (well, only one broken foot) delayed this a lot a lot.
But please enjoy the interview with Linda and our conversation about worms!
You can find Linda's books on Amazon and Barnes & Noble OR head to her website where you can also pick up her Oracle Deck!
And find her on instagram @lindamercury
Clover Club Cocktail
Clover...
In our fourth episode, we talk about Shéa's book "Day of the Were-Jackal" and wander through stories about drag queen cocktail hours, antiquity hoarders, and magic soap, stopping in to talk about the moon, Champagne, and whether bacon should be in a cocktail.
If you're interested in the magic soap (Wake up, witch!) you can visit If the Broom Fits.
If you want to check out our new drag queen superhero, find where S...
Episode 3 features an interview with USA Today Bestselling Author Tara West and her books "Sugar, Spice, and a Magical Midlife" and "Fuck Off, I'm Fifty."
You can follow Tara on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!
We also drink magical lemon drops -
- 2 ounces vodka
- 3/4 ounce Cointreau or triple sec
- ½ ounce limoncello (optional)
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 3/4 ounce simple syrup
- Ice
Add ice to cocktail shaker. Add all...
In the second episode of Cliffhangers and Cocktails, Shea and Amy talk about Imbolc, drink Bloody Bellinis, and welcome USA Today Bestselling Author Elizabeth Hunter to the pod!
You can find Elizabeth Hunter (and buy her books direct) at elizabethhunter.com, follow her on Instagram (@elizabethhunterwrites), and join her Facebook Group "Hunters Haven" https://www.facebook.com/groups/ElizabethHunterFans/.
...
Welcome to the first episode of Cliffhangers and Cocktails!
Today we discuss the history of the pod, general witchery, the first full moon of 2025, Butter Witch by Tess Lake (such a good book!), and our cozy hot cocoa cocktail (recipe below).
Join us to hear the horrific ways we pronounce hygge, find out what word from the (Enchanted Spell Oracle Medieval Hedgewitch Magic Guidebook) Oracle Card of the day descript...
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