All Things Cozy

Michael Sherman (@unqualified) stops by to light the menorah with Matt and Gillian and discuss cozy Hanukkah foods and traditions. Michael fries up latkes, Matt's a sour cream guy, and Gillian's an applesauce lady. Happy Hanukkah from All Things Cozy!

Alonso Duralde (@ADuralde) arrives on a one-horse open sleigh to chat about Christmas traditions and folklore from around the world with Matt and Gillian. Alonso opens presents on Nochebuena, Matt breaks opłatki on Wigilia, and Gillian escapes the Yule Cat. They also discuss Christmas in Japan, Goth Christmas, St. Nicholas Day, Christmas Conventions, and cozy songs of the season. Check out Alonso's Christmas decoration Instragram account (@dxaxtree) and book (Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas). Merry Christmas!

Chef Kellie Blackburn (@chef_kellie_blackburn) cooks up tips to help Matt and Gillian prepare for a vegetarian Thanksgiving. Chef Kellie patiently teaches Matt and Gillian how to properly make mashed potatoes and shares recipes for butternut squash lasanga, tiramisu, and cauliflower mac and cheese. Happy Thanksgiving!

Give the gift of cozy this holiday season with the help Matt and Gillian's cozy gift guide! Matt and Gillian will each be giving away an item from their list to listeners who share this episode on social media. Listen to discover which items are included in the giveaway, and join Matt at the Redondo Beach Public Library on November 16th for Kensington Publishing's Mini Cozy Con. Matt's Gift Ideas Me. You. A Diary by Dawn French Sunbeam Heated Throw Blanket Japanese Cat Mystery Box Toy Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser Passion Planner Gillian's Gift Ideas Meowingtons "S--- Together" Cat Mug Redwood & Co's "Rain" Candle & Wanderlust Room & Linen Spray 3D Glow in Dark Star Ceiling on Etsy Willow Hill Company "Willow Winter Whipped Sugar Scrub" Life Is Meals: A Food Lover's Book of Days

Michael Varrati (@MichaelVarrati), writer, director, and host of the podcast Dead for Filth, rides his broom back to All Things Cozy to play fortune telling games and discuss horrific halloween history. Happy Halloween!

Traci Hall (@tracihallauthor) calls in from the beyond to discuss Mrs. Morris and the Ghost, the first novel in the Salem B&B Mystery series she writes with Patrice Wilton under the pen name Traci Wilton. Traci reveals how she and Patrice explored Salem, set the rules for the supernatural in their books, and negotiate potential disagreements. Gillian chows down on some pumpkin ravioli, Matt plays a horrible goose, Traci gets warm by the electrice fireplace, and everyone agrees that if you're going to be haunted the ghost at least should be handsome. Keep up with Traci Wilton's writing by visiting her website: https://www.traciwilton.com

Christin Brecher (@christinbrecherbooks) calls in to discuss her debut novel, Murder's No Votive Confidence, and share what she's learned about candle making, Nantucket, and how to stay inspired while writing. Gillian is the class clown of candle making, Christin loves her weighted blanket, Matt has a close encounter with a bear, and everyone wants a candle clock. Learn more about Christin's writing on her website: http://christinbrecher.com

T.C. LoTempio (@RoccoBlogger) calls in to discuss the first entry in her Purr N' Bark Pet Shop mystery series, The Time for Murder is Meow. We chat with Toni about the joys and challenges of making cats central characters in mystery novels, the influence of horror on her writing, and how a one-eyed Persian cat entered the picture. Matt watches Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Toni watches The Thin Man, and Gillian escapes upstate New York. Learn more about T.C. LoTempio's writing on her website: www.tclotempio.net

Matt and Gillian make the leap from candle reviewers to candle makers. Matt gets stabbed by a cooking thermometer, Gillian adds a little bit of herself to the candle, and both have unrealistic expecations for candle cooling.

Audiobook narrator BJ Harrison (@bjharrisonaudio) soothes Matt and Gillian with his euphonious voice as he describes his experiences narrating paranormal cozy mysteries, his Classic Tales Podcast, and how he makes his home studio cozy. The trio also chat about Gillian's love for plot holes, Matt chasing down a Halloween decoration, and BJ's professional responsiblity to avoid cheese. Finally, in addition to reviewing a candle from LA's Candle Delirium, we also finally learn what Gillian's Makers Mess candle smells like. Check out BJ's Classic Tales podcast and website here: https://www.thebestaudiobooks.com