Welcome to the return of Q Audiobooks, a regular feature offering audiobooks of interest for the LGBTQ+ listener.

As someone who has published 12 audiobooks, I understand the attraction of providing free download codes for audiobook fans and the authors and narrators who keep them listening. I’ve given away well over 1,000 audiobook codes over the ten years I’ve been making audiobook editions available for my books, and I have two sites to recommend. I’ve used both of them to great effect, and if you search “LGBTQ” you’ll even find a lot of the audiobooks in your favorite not-so-mainstream genres. Codes are specific to each book and can only be redeemed at ACX/Audible links provided when you get the code (US or UK), or on the Authors Direct app if you’re getting a code from Findaway Voices.

It’s a one-day-only sale on Kindle for ‘Cupid Shot Me: Valentine Tales of Love, Mystery & Suspense (A Queer Mystery Anthology Book 1).’ Show yourself or someone you love a little murder for this special day! The anthology includes my own ‘Paper Hearts: A Marshall James Thriller,’ along with 10 other short stories from some of the best writers in the genre. (You can read about my story here.)

About ‘Cupid Shot Me’

Eleven award-winning queer authors come together to spin tales of murder, horror, and suspense all during a Valentine’s Day you won’t soon forget!

From the Introduction by Michael Nava, celebrated author of the Henry Rios mysteries:

The stories in Cupid Shot Me fall somewhere between the classic Richard Rodgers tune “My Funny Valentine” and the gangland Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre. You’ll find bushels of red roses but some may be lethal, and watch what you eat at that romantic dinner because that exquisite morsel on your fork may be poisoned. You’ll definitely want the bomb squad to inspect that enormous box of chocolates before you open it.

Enter HERE to win one of 5 paperback editions of the just-released ‘Cupid Shot Me: Valentine Tales of Love, Mystery & Suspense (A Queer Mystery Anthology Book 1).’ The anthology includes my own ‘Paper Hearts: A Marshall James Thriller.’ Winners will be selected and notified March 1! Only ships within the U.S.

About ‘Paper Hearts’

It’s now or never, as Marshall decides to search for the love of his life thirty years after he’d been told they were finished forever. Mac McElroy was an LAPD homicide detective back when Marshall lived in Hollywood and trouble came calling for him once, twice, three times over. The third time was not the charm: it nearly got Marshall killed, and it put their love on ice for the next three decades. Will he find Mac? Is Mac even still alive? And exactly what happened that Valentine’s Day, 1992, when it all came crashing down? Find out in ‘Paper Hearts.’

Nothing says ‘I love you’ quite like murder! Prepare for a bloody Valentine’s Day with a heart stopping new collection of LGBTQ mysteries, thrillers and suspense short stories – mine included! With an introduction by iconic gay mystery author Michael Nava, and including eleven top-notch short stories from some of the best writers in the genre, ‘Cupid Shot Me: Valentine Tales of Love, Mystery & Suspense’ will keep you on the edge of your seat with each journey into love and homicide. NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON and at select locations listed below.

What better way to start the new year than with a thrilling new collection of LGBTQ mysteries, thrillers and suspense short stories – mine included! With an introduction by iconic gay mystery author Michael Nava, and including eleven top-notch short stories from some of the best writers in the genre, ‘Cupid Shot Me: Valentine Tales of Love, Mystery & Suspense’ will keep you on the edge of your seat with each journey into love and murder. NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER.

Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose for our first show of the new year, also known as The Year Of Our Pandemic 2022. Will it ever end? How much do we care? Find out as we talk about the best, the worst, and our Big Boo picks for the Boo Year! But seriously, life is short. Join us while we have a blast off into January and beyond.

Have your own Twist Top recommendation to share? Email us at Tops @ TheTwistPodcast.com and we’ll include it on the show!

Enjoy The Twist on Libsyn, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and TheTwistPodcast.com.

Copyright 2021 MadeMark Publishing

Join Mark’s email list for updates, podcasts, giveaways, and his monthly newsletter! Reach us at: TheTwist @ TheTwistPodcast.com

By Terri Shlichenmeyer
The Bookworm Sez

“Dead Lines: Slices of Life from the Obit Beat” by George Hesselberg
c.2021, Wisconsin Historical Society Press
$20.00 / higher in Canada            200 pages

And that’s the final word.

Just a few lines, a handful of dates and names, an accomplishment or two, and then that’s it. You’ll be done, dead, end of story – or is it?  Will you be remembered only by a few lines in a newspaper or online? Or as in the new book “Dead Lines” by George Hesselberg, have you left small footprints on a lot of hearts?

As we end our second year of the pandemic, I thought it would be good to close out 2021 with some humor. Who better to help with that than author, humorist and comedian Fay Jacobs? Enjoy this podcast from the archives, and let’s make 2022 a good one.

Fasten your headphones for a conversation with author, humorist, activist, and sit-down comedian Fay Jacobs. We talk about her life and career, her writing, and what’s in store for the tireless writer.

About Fay Jacobs:

Fay, a native New Yorker, has had a 35-year career in journalism, public relations & theater. As an author, Fay has five published books of humorous and activist essays. All were originally published by A&M Books, a successor to Naiad Press and are now published by Bywater Books. Fay’s first book, As I Lay Frying is in its 4th printing. A second, Fried & True won the 2008 National Federation of Press Women Book of the Year for humor.