Murder, Mystery and Mayhem Laced with Morality

Like the protagonist in her debut novel, The Moon Goddess’s Smile, Catherine Wu spent her formative years in China before coming to New York City as a graduate student. After a successful career in biomedical research and podiatry, Catherine followed the pull of her heart and stepped fully into her calling as a storyteller.She honed her craft in fiction at Grub Street in Boston, pouring years of passion and perseverance into a story that blends culture, mystery, and humanity—a true labor of love.Today, Catherine lives in Jacksonville, Florida, where she shares life with her husband. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her battling sword ferns and pennyworts in her garden, experimenting with bold and unexpected flavors in the kitchen, or researching her dream family vacation to southern Europe.In this episode, we talk about:Following God-given dreams later in lifeCultural identity and storytellingThe journey from science to fictionThe heart and mystery behind The Moon Goddess’s SmileAffiliations:Florida Writers AssociationNational League of American Pen WomenGrubStreet, Boston🔗 Learn more about Catherine Wu:https://www.catherinewu.com/🎧 Listen to the podcast on:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcastsor visit 👉 www.drkatherinehayes.comMake sure to check out this episode—you won’t want to miss it! 🙌🏾💗#CatherineWu #MurderMysteryAndMayhem #PodcastInterview #AuthorInterview #TheMoonGoddesssSmile#AuthorsOfInstagram #WritersOfInstagram #Books #Bookstagram #Mystery #DiverseBooksMatter#ReadersOfInstagram #WritersCommunity #AuthorLife #ListenNow #Storytelling #WomenWriters #BehindTheMoonGoddess’sSmile

In this episode, I sit down with Josh Bates, a retired United States Marine Corps officer whose career spanned infantry, counterintelligence, and human intelligence operations. Josh served combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as additional operational assignments across the Indo-Pacific.Josh is a graduate of:• University of San Diego (BA, Political Science)• Marine Corps University (MA, Military Studies)• Hawai‘i Pacific University (MA, Diplomacy and Military Studies)He currently lives in Kailua, Hawai‘i, and The Baghdad Shuffle—a gripping, morally complex thriller—is his debut novel.We talk about war, identity, truth, and how lived experience shapes fiction that doesn’t flinch from reality.🎧 Listen on:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcastsor visit 👉 www.drkatherinehayes.com📚 Connect with the Author:Instagram: @hardboiled_aliveBook: The Baghdad Shuffle🎙️ Connect with the Podcast / Host:Website: www.drkatherinehayes.comPodcast: Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem Laced with Morality#MurderMysteryMayhem #PodcastInterview #JoshBates #HardboiledAlive#AuthorsOfInstagram #AuthorLife #WritersCommunity#MilitaryFiction #PoliticalThriller #MysteryPodcast#ApplePodcasts #SpotifyPodcast #GooglePodcasts#Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #WritersSupportingWriters#VeteranAuthors #DebutNovel #TheBaghdadShuffle#DiverseBooksMatter

🎙️ She’s Back! Jayna Breigh Returns to the Podcast ✨I had the absolute joy of reconnecting with Jayna Breigh at Reader Rendezvous 2025, and now she’s back on the podcast to celebrate the release of her most recent novel, An Appearance of Impropriety 📚💫Jayna is an award-winning author and attorney, best known for her romantic legal dramas—stories that seamlessly blend faith, justice, suspense, and heart. Her novels invite readers into emotionally rich worlds filled with compelling characters, high-stakes ethical dilemmas, and just the right touch of romance.In this episode, we dive into:✨ The inspiration behind her latest release✨ Crafting authentic courtroom drama with faith at the center✨ Writing characters who wrestle with truth, integrity, and redemption✨ Balancing romance, intrigue, and meaningful themesWhether you love stories that make you laugh, think, and reflect, enjoy hearing directly from the author behind the words, or are passionate about Christian fiction with depth and purpose, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.🎧 Tune in as Jayna shares her journey from courtroom storytelling to the page—and now to the mic. Stay in touch with her https://www.jaynabreigh.com/📚 Tell us—which Jayna Breigh book is your favorite, or which one are you most excited to read next?#PodcastGuest #JaynaBreigh #NewBookRelease #RomanticLegalDrama #AuthorInterview #ReaderRendezvous #MustListen #BooksAndPodcasts #ChristianFiction #BookLoversUnite #anappearanceofimpropiety

After a successful career in the U.S. Navy, Wendy Gee now channels her boundless energy into community volunteering, leaving no stone unturned—or unpainted—at the Charleston Fire Department, Friends of the Lewes Public Library Board of Directors, and Sussex County Habitat for Humanity. A proud graduate of the University of Michigan, University of Arizona, Naval War College, and Old Dominion University, Wendy combines her academic prowess and life experiences into her writing.Residing in Lewes, DE, she is an avid golfer, a diehard Detroit Tigers and Lions fan (even when they’re not winning, but so excited when they are), and a pickleball enthusiast who’s always ready to serve up some fun. Her work has been shortlisted with Killer Nashville and the Writer’s League of Texas. And as a lifetime member of Sisters in Crime, Wendy’s passion for the mystery genre is no secret—though she might leave a few clues lying around just for fun. “Fleet Landing” is her first novel.Make sure to connect with Wendy Gee🎙️ www.wendygeeauthor.comYou can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, or visit my website www.drkatherinehayes.com💗#authors #podcast #interview #apple #spotify #google #authorsofinstagram #books #read #reader #writerscommunity #listen #writer #write #mayhem #authorlife #author #bookstagram #blog #book #booklover #authorssupportingauthors #writersofinstagram #writers #readersofinstagram #readersofig #readersgonnaread #mystery #diversebooksmatter #WendyGee

After a successful career in the U.S. Navy, Wendy Gee now channels her boundless energy into community volunteering, leaving no stone unturned—or unpainted—at the Charleston Fire Department, Friends of the Lewes Public Library Board of Directors, and Sussex County Habitat for Humanity. A proud graduate of the University of Michigan, University of Arizona, Naval War College, and Old Dominion University, Wendy combines her academic prowess and life experiences into her writing.Residing in Lewes, DE, she is an avid golfer, a diehard Detroit Tigers and Lions fan (even when they’re not winning, but so excited when they are), and a pickleball enthusiast who’s always ready to serve up some fun. Her work has been shortlisted with Killer Nashville and the Writer’s League of Texas. And as a lifetime member of Sisters in Crime, Wendy’s passion for the mystery genre is no secret—though she might leave a few clues lying around just for fun. “Fleet Landing” is her first novel. Make sure to connect with Wendy Gee🎙️ www.wendygeeauthor.com.You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, or visit my website ⁠www.drkatherinehayes.com⁠💗#authors #podcast #interview #apple #spotify #google #authorsofinstagram #books #read #reader #writerscommunity #listen #writer #write #mayhem #authorlife #author #bookstagram #blog #book #booklover #authorssupportingauthors #writersofinstagram #writers #readersofinstagram #readersofig #readersgonnaread #mystery #diversebooksmatter #WendyGee