Rendezvous With A Writer Podcast

#102 Guest Author Jane Little Botkin

"EL PASO - YOU'RE LOOKING GOOD"Hosts Jim Bell and Bobbi Jean Bell continue September's theme MAYHEM, MEMOIR, MURDER, and MEDALLION WINNER with memoir author Jane Little Botkin.  THE PINK DRESS: A MEMOIR OF A RELUCTANT BEAUTY QUEENJane Little Botkin, former Miss El Paso Texas beauty queen and Guyrex Girl, reveals the realities of becoming the first protégé of “Kings of Beauty” Richard Guy and Rex Holt amid the 1970s counterculture movement. Her experiences launch “GuyRex” into Miss USA pageant history, even as her family falls apart and she struggles to leave the pageant world.
Growing up in West Texas, Jane Little Botkin didn’t have designs on becoming a beauty queen.
A pink, rose-covered gown, a Guyrex creation, symbolizes the fairy tale life that young women in Jane’s time imagined beauty queens had. Its near destruction exposes reality: the author’s failed relationship with her mother, and her parents’ failed relationship with one another. Weaving these narrative threads together is the Wild West notion that anything is possible, especially do-overs. The Pink Dress awakens nostalgia for the 1960s and 1970s, the era’s conflicts and growth pains. A common expectation that women went to college to get “MRS” degrees; to find a husband and become a stay-at-home wife and mother; often prevailed. How does one swim upstream against this notion among feminist voices that protest “If You Want Meat, Go to a Butcher!” at beauty pageants, two flamboyant showmen, and a developing awareness of self? Torn between women’s traditional roles and what women could be, Guyrex Girls evolved, as did the author.The Pink Dress: A Memoir of a Reluctant Beauty Queen released September 10, 2024 and we are so excited to TALK ABOUT IT!! It's a fabulous read that will move you to laughter as well as serious contemplation.Hosts - Jim and Bobbi Jean Bell Opening and Closing Music - Hot Texas courtesy of Alex Dormont and the Hot Texas Swing Band Sponsored by Blue Cottage Agency Clicks By Madison.  OutWest Shop  Shop ALL Rendezvous With A Writer book titles HERE Aired September 12, 2024 

#101 Guest Author C. Courtney Joyner and Western Film Editor Henry C. Parke

MAYHEM, MEMOIR, MURDER, and MEDALLION WINNER!Hosts Jim Bell and Bobbi Jean Bell kick it off September with Mayhem! Join us as we talk with C Courtney Joyner and Henry Parke about books and movies. Henry is an author and film editor for True West Magazine and he catches us up with his monthly "Henry's Western Roundup" of film and TV news. Courtney is an award-winning writer of fiction, comics and screen plays who will share the back stories about his two latest projects  - the book Video Tapes From Hell: Visual History of Cult, Collectibles, and Crazy Video Covers, releasing October 1st and the riveting film, Quadrant. Hosts - Jim and Bobbi Jean Bell Opening and Closing Music - Hot Texas courtesy of Hot Texas Swing Band Sponsored by Blue Cottage Agency Clicks By Madison.  OutWest Shop  Shop ALL Rendezvous With A Writer book titles HERE Aired September 5, 2024 
 

#100 Guest Author Kevin Wolf

MURDER, FLOOD, CORVETTE: 3 WORDS TO GET YOUR HEART RACING!
We are so excited for our 100th broadcast! Join us!  Hosts Jim Bell and Bobbi Jean Bell celebrate the 100th episode with Kevin Wolf Storyteller, and his riveting mystery set in the Rocky Mountain National Park, TRAILRIDGE: A GUY HOGAN MYSTERY. Kevin shares the backstory to the book, its cover, and the inspiration for the storyline. Set over a couple of days in July, 1982 he sets the story against a real flood event. Tune in and meet a riveting cast of characters - Guy Hogan, Willow, Cadance, Usher, Click and...a red corvette!  Hosts - Jim Bell and Bobbi Jean Bell Opening and Closing Music - Hot Texas courtesy of Hot Texas Swing Band Sponsored by Blue Cottage Agency and  OutWest Shop  Shop ALL Rendezvous With A Writer book titles HERE Aired August 29, 2024

#99 Guest Authors Peggy Chambers with Paula Benge

AT THE HEART OF THE GAMEHosts Jim Bell and Bobbi Jean Bell welcome two authors, Peggy Chambers with her special guest Paula Benge. 
There is something "magic" when 2 authors chat about a book and the writing process - and we, the readers, get to listen in! Once again, author Peggy Chambers, takes the lead for an engaging conversation between two authors - Peggy and her guest Paula Benge 
We've been reading Paula's newly released title, AT THE HEART OF THE GAME, a terrific story set against the backdrop of the individual lives of a university women's softball team. At the time of the interview, this title is rated #1 in Teen and Young Adult Baseball books!
Tune in and meet Peggy, Paula and her cast of characters like River, Ty, Kody, Zeph, Coach O'Daniel and more. It's another lively discussion, join us! Hosts - Peggy Chambers, Jim and Bobbi Jean Bell Opening and Closing Music - Hot Texas courtesy of Hot Texas Swing Band Sponsored by Blue Cottage Agency and  OutWest Shop  Shop ALL Rendezvous With A Writer book titles HERE Aired August 22, 2024

#98 Guest Author Katy McQuaid

Hosts Jim Bell and Bobbi Jean Bell welcome KATY MCQUAID!
HUMBLE YET FIERCE: MY LIFE BEHIND THE CURTAIN OF THE CIA is an inspiring memoir by Katy McQuaid. We couldn't put it down! Katy's personal stories of her years with the CIA reminds us of this saying "A Lion Doesn't Need To Roar."
About The Book:
Often, we want to speak up, but we don’t, gripped by fear and the need to get along. The reality is, it’s hard to find our voice; and then one day we do.
Katy McQuaid, former deputy director of logistics in the CIA, brings her true-life stories of courage, faith, and adventure related to that journey. From the life-changing events in her first year of college to her remarkable career in the CIA, McQuaid shares that you don’t have to be loud to be strong.
She shares her challenges as a woman working in a male-dominated industry. She was inspired by good leaders who helped her succeed and go further than she thought possible. Tune in for an engaging conversation!Hosts - Jim and Bobbi Jean Bell Opening and Closing Music - Hot Texas courtesy of Hot Texas Swing Band Sponsored by Blue Cottage Agency and  OutWest Shop  Shop ALL Rendezvous With A Writer book titles HERE Aired August 15, 2024

#97 Guest Author Howard Kaplan

WE READ A POLITICAL THRILLER! JOIN US!KAPLAN IS UP THERE WITH THE BEST - CLIVE CUSSLER Hosts Jim Bell and Bobbi Jean Bell are eager to introduce to you HOWARD KAPLAN, the author of THE SYRIAN SUNSET.  A sweeping novel of international intrigue about the Syrian Civil War, the failure of the West to save the Syrian people, and how that inaction against the Russian incursion of Syria emboldened Vladmir Putin to attack Ukraine. Based on true events, THE SYRIAN SUNSET tells the tale of a fictional Syrian Military Intelligence general who wants a better Syria, and the events that led to the death of 500,000 civilians, 5 million people fleeing Syria, another 15 million being displaced internally. From Howard Kaplan, author of THE DAMASCUS COVER, is a major motion picture starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Sir John Hurt in his final film.  Hosts - Jim and Bobbi Jean Bell Opening and Closing Music - Hot Texas courtesy of Hot Texas Swing Band Sponsored by Blue Cottage Agency and  OutWest Shop  Shop ALL Rendezvous With A Writer book titles HERE Aired August 8, 2024

#96 Guests Author Chris Enss and Western Film Editor Henry C. Parke

THE DOCTOR WAS A WOMAN Hosts Bobbi Jean and Jim Bell rendezvous with multi-award winning author and historian Chris Enss and True West Magazine Film Editor Henry C. Parke. So much to talk about! This broadcast marks our Second Anniversary and the beginning of our third year. Henry catches us up with the latest news from the Western Film and TV front with his monthly "Henry's Western Round-up Report." Executive Director of the Will Rogers Medallion Awards, Chris Enss,  joins us with news of the organization's upcoming Awards event in October and their exciting plans for 2025 and 2026. Then we enjoy an in-depth discussion about her latest title, The Doctor Was A Woman: Stories Of The First Female Physicians On The Frontier. It is enlightening - entertaining - and educational - a fascinating read. And, later, we learn about her next book available now to pre-order and publishing in October -Tilghman: The Legendary Lawman And The Woman Who Inspired Him. Hosts - Jim and Bobbi Jean Bell Opening and Closing Music - Hot Texas courtesy of Hot Texas Swing Band Sponsored by Blue Cottage Agency and  OutWest Shop  Shop ALL Rendezvous With A Writer book titles HERE Aired August 1, 2024

#95 Guest Author Mark L. Redmond

THE BOX M GANG Hosts Bobbi Jean and Jim Bell rendezvous with author Mark L. Redmond about his passion for the West and his success creating three series for middle grade readers. We'll be taking an in-depth at the first book of his new series, The Box M Gang. 
ABOUT THE BOOKThe year is 1875. The Arizona Territory is a wild, sparsely settled place. The Martin family's Box M Ranch is ten miles from their nearest neighbor and twenty miles from Tucson. Fifteen-year-old Ruth, fourteen-year-old Thad, twelve-year-old Sarah, ten-year-old Bart, and eight-year-old Billy have been doing most of the work to keep the Box M running. Consequently, when Pa passes away, the Martin siblings face little change in their daily routine as far as their chores go. They do, however, face an ominous threat.
Ruth, Thad, and Sarah know they can continue to run the Box M without Pa. Ruth is confident she, Thad, and Sarah can protect their secret from the occasional travelers who visit the Box M, but she's concerned about little brothers Bart and Billy.
During the next few months, visitors to the Box M include the sheriff, a bounty hunter, cattle rustlers, and a family with five small children. All of them pose a threat to the Martins. Can they keep their secret and remain on the Box M? Saddle up, and let's find out!Hosts - Jim and Bobbi Jean Bell Opening and Closing Music - Hot Texas courtesy of Hot Texas Swing Band Sponsored by Blue Cottage Agency and  OutWest Shop  Shop ALL Rendezvous With A Writer book titles HERE Aired July 25, 2024

#94 Guest Author Gina L. Carroll

GARDENS, GRANDMOTHERS, AND GREAT STORYTELLING!Hosts Bobbi Jean and Jim Bell rendezvous with author Gina L. Carroll.  Once we read page one, we couldn't put down this wonderful newly released title, The Grandest Garden. The storyline, the characters, the gardens, and the relationships captured my full attention and wouldn't let me go. What's Bella going to do next? Will she have her first art photography exhibition at the Herman Gallery, as promised, in Midtown Manhattan? And what about the amazing men she meets...Dorian, Drip, Brad and more? What a story!!
We are excited to be joined by GINA L. CARROLL, the author of The Grandest Garden published by SparkPress.ABOUT THE BOOKBella Fontaine is on her own. Fresh out of college and with the winnings from her first international photography competition, she decides to leave Los Angeles to forge a new life in New York City. But will she be able to overcome the trauma of her childhood and her break from home to make it as a successful artist and professional photographer in a new city? Or will her secrets catch up with her and keep her from developing the relationships she needs to make her dreams come true? JOIN US! Hosts - Jim and Bobbi Jean Bell Opening and Closing Music - Hot Texas courtesy of Hot Texas Swing Band Sponsored by Blue Cottage Agency and  OutWest Shop  Shop ALL Rendezvous With A Writer book titles HERE Aired July 18, 2024

#93 Guests Western Film Editor Henry Parke and Author Michael F. Blake

THE MAKING OF THREE CLASSIC WESTERN FILMSHosts Bobbi Jean and Jim Bell rendezvous with two Western film experts! Joining us are Michael F. Blake, author of The Cavalry Trilogy: John Ford, John Wayne and the Making of Three Classic Westerns, and Henry C. Parke, Film Editor for True West Magazine. This is a great discussion about the making of Western films including both Henry's and Michael's response to the new Kevin Costner film Horizon: An American Saga. Then we move into an in-depth look at Michael's recently published book -The Cavalry Trilogy: John Ford, John Wayne, and the Making of Three Classic Westerns. Michael takes us deep into the backstories and actual filming of Fort Apache, She Wore A Yellow Ribbon, and Rio Grande. Our recommendation? Do what we did. Read the book. Watch each film with the book at hand. Michael's research and riveting prose will allow you to enjoy these three films in a new, fresh way! Hosts - Jim and Bobbi Jean Bell Opening and Closing Music - Hot Texas courtesy of Hot Texas Swing Band Sponsored by Blue Cottage Agency and  OutWest Shop  Shop ALL Rendezvous With A Writer book titles HERE Aired July 11, 2024