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
Today's minisode is a bit more serious than usual. Join Shéa and Amy as they talk about writing during hard times, including physical and mental health issues.
But always remember -
This is not the time for perfection.
This is the time for gentleness. Especially with yourself.
Resources
- Suicide & Crisis Hotline: call or text 988 (USA/Canada)
- The Trevor Project (US): For LGBTQ youth, call 1-866-488-7386 or text "S...
Pull up an Aviation cocktail, don your fanciest party attire, and help us celebrate Shéa's 52nd birthday!
Today, we talk about Aquariuses (Aquariusii?), cocktails, and Shéa's newest book, Night of the Conjurer!
Affirmation:
Today and every day I will celebrate myself.
Resources:
Amy's cocktail cherry recipe: https://www.crowdedkitchen.com/homemade-cocktail-cherries/
Pour yourself a lemon drop and join us for a brief history of Imbolc, a briefer and way less accurate account of goat-whacking, and a dive into ways to celebrate Imbolc today!
Resources:
Make an Imbolc Brigid corn husk doll: https://www.morbitorium.co.uk/s/stories/make-an-imbolc-bridey-doll
Make a Brigid's cross: https://youtu.be/Yn_MG4HZVOo?si=_2BzCu7LtjsIq48d
Ideas for your Imbolc feast: https://gathervictoria.com/2016/01/2...
In today's episode, Shéa and Amy talk about the foundation of a good, magical cocktail - the base spirit. Pour yourself a cocktail and learn about the energy you can find in the various liquors used in your mixed drinks.
Remember to choose your spirits with intent, because you’re not just mixing a drink.
You’re mixing magic.
Interested in learning more about the cocktail classes Shéa takes https://www.tammystastings.com/
Deb Carroll
PWF Book Club: https://pwfbookclub.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/135326188810667
Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Deb-Carroll/author/B0B4KJW35B
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pwfbookclub/
Affirmation
I am strong steady and grounded. I vibrate powerful abundant peaceful energy and attract the same energy in return.
Deck:
Enchanted Spell Oracle (Medieval Hedgewitch Magic) by Pries...
Stephanie Berchiolly
Hexual Healing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FT5ZN68F/
Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/SBerchiolly
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie.berchiolly/
Newsletter Signup: https://www.stephanieberchiolly.com/
Affirmation
I am a magnet for prosperity and good fortune.
James Doty books: Mind Magic & Into the Magic Shop
Mel Robbins & James Doty Interview: https://youtu.be/s-...
Hi all! It's time for another minisode - I mean MOONYSODE!. Today, we're talking about the December super moon - the Cold Moon.
Jump in while we talk about the moon, rituals for this time of year, and drink a full moon martini (recipe below).
During the pod, we mention that we are going to try to recreate the energy/look of the martini with a different recipe since neither of us loved this version enough to want to drink mo...
During this episode, we're talking to Samantha Hargrove again - this time about the science of crystals. (For our first interview with Sam, look for Episode 10 wherever you're listening!)
Pour yourself a glass of wine (we're drinking Three Witches from http://anichecellars.com/) or a Manhattan, and settle in for rock talk and Caftan Coven shenanigans.
This week's cocktail is a Manhattan. Recipe at the bottom ...
Welcome to Minisode #6! Today, our craft topic is Craft Cocktails, and we're going to take you through a Persephone's Kiss. The recipe is below if you want to follow along as we make it and discuss the magical properties of all the ingredients!
Recipe
Ingredients:
2 oz tequila (rejuvenation)
1.5 oz pomegranate juice (life, death, rebirth, fertility, and abundance)
1 oz orange liqueur (p...
Today's interviewee is none other than 1/3 of the Caftan Coven (and pod co-host) Amy Cissell! We'll discuss her upcoming series - Silver City Shifters, as well as French 75s, pomegranates, manifestation, and the Beaver Supermoon!
Pour yourself a drink, get cozy, and dive into the episode!
This week's cocktail is a Pomegranate French 75. Recipe at the bottom of the show notes.
This week's links -
Oracle Deck:
Laura M...
Pour yourself a Hades Snare (recipe at the end) and join us for an overview on the history of the Western European celebration of Samhain.
Today's Oracle deck is Juliet Diaz and Lorraine Anderson's Seasons of the Witch Samhain Deck, and our card is "Pumpkin." Key words: Protection, fertility, and prosperity! https://www.rockpoolpublishing.com/seasons-of-the-witch-samhain-oracle
Our 14th full episode features an interview with the amazing Lee Savino & Renee Rose, and we couldn't be more excited about it!
Join us to talk about money magic, abundance journeys, co-authorship, and of course, general shenanigans.
This week's cocktails are a cucumber gimlet (Renee's) and a jalapeño margarita (Lee's). Recipes at the bottom of the show notes.
This week's links -
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...
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