Donald Jay explores the history of cozy mysteries through the life and work of Lilian Jackson Braun, author of *The Cat Who* series, in this episode.
4 Mar 2024
My Best Friend’s Valentine (4 of 4)
Welcome to the final episode of a four-part podcast of me reading my short story, My Best Friend’s Valentine, for your romantic enjoyment. In the third episode, we found out what makes Evan’s swing so special, a second charm for Leah’s bracelet arrived, and one of the couple narrowly escaped being seriously injured. In this episode, Leah comes clean about her suspicions, more charms arrive, and the meaning behind them is finally revealed on Valentine’s Day.
25 Feb 2024
My Best Friend’s Valentine (3 of 4)
Welcome to the third of a four-part podcast of me reading my short story, My Best Friend’s Valentine, for your romantic enjoyment. In the second episode, Mason overheard a conversation between Leah and Charlotte Flowers that crushed his planned romantic gesture while Leah took steps to test Mason’s intentions. In this episode, we find out what makes Evan’s swing so special, a second charm for Leah’s bracelet arrives, and one of the couple narrowly escapes being seriously injured.
18 Feb 2024
My Best Friend’s Valentine (2 of 4)
Here’s the second of a four-part podcast of me reading my short story, My Best Friend’s Valentine, for your romantic enjoyment. In the first episode, we discovered that Mason Carver has feelings for Jacob Marley’s mother, Leah, but that Leah believes Mason’s attention is born of duty and loyalty to Leah’s deceased husband, Evan. In this episode, Mason overhears a conversation between Leah and Charlotte Flowers that crushes his planned romantic gesture while Leah takes steps to test Mason’s intentions.
11 Feb 2024
My Best Friend’s Valentine (1 of 4)
My Best Friend’s Valentine: Not Romantic and The Accident is the first of a four-part series that unravels the love story between Jacob Marley’s mother, Leah Marley, and Dickens Station’s trusted general contractor and hardware store owner, Mason Carver. These two scenes set the stage for a true love story born of friendship to survive the test of misunderstanding. I also give readers a glimpse of how our favorite Christmas-themed village celebrates other holidays, in this case, Valentine’s Day.
4 Feb 2024
Christmas Renewal, Scene 4: Old Joe and Scene 5: Reunion
In Christmas Renewal, Scene 4: Old Joe, one of Dickens Station's more colorful characters, takes George on an excursion into the railroader’s past to a fateful night that redirected George’s life, all the while revealing a new path forward into a meaningful retirement. In Christmas Renewal, Scene 5: Reunion, George is reunited with his family, and a remarkable revelation from his granddaughter Sophie mends George’s heart and breathes new life into his soul. Truly a Christmas Renewal.
28 Jan 2024
Christmas Renewal, Scene 3: The Veteran
In Christmas Renewal, Scene 3: The Veteran, Lissa Dodson takes George to meet her very special friend, Troy Eldridge. Troy found a new purpose for his life after losing his leg in Afghanistan. Inspired by Troy, George begins to question his own limitations and finds a new perspective on moving forward.
21 Jan 2024
Christmas Renewal - Scene 2: The Old Lady at the Church
Christmas Renewal - Scene 2: The Old Lady at the Church features a heartwarming encounter between George and a stranger, Layla, in the candle-lit Community Church. When George admires the cane Layla is carrying, she shares her inspiring story of overcoming a tragic accident, proving that strength can rise from despair. This touching moment leaves George reflecting on the alienation caused by bitterness and the restorative powers of resilience and faith.
14 Jan 2024
Christmas Renewal, Scene 1: Cat Nap
My award-winning short story, Christmas Renewal, is not a Christmas tale. It’s a story of renewal offered to inspire anyone who finds themselves at a crossroads in life. So, in a sense, it’s a New Year’s story, or a “new life” story, empathizing with those of us confronted with change and reminding us of the boundless possibilities of life. May you find a sense of renewal within you as you reflect on George Gandy’s evening of rediscovery and renewal. This is the first in a four-part series featuring Christmas Renewal. Today's scene is entitled "Cat Nap."
30 May 2023
Author Reading: Marley's Curse, Chapter 1
In this episode, I am reading the scene from Marley’s Curse, A Dickens Station Treasure Hunt Mystery, where Jacob Marley
(the good guy) meets Donovan Dawson (the bad guy) for the first time.
9 Jan 2023
Episode 1: Elizabeth and the Toymaker Announcement
I’ve started book #3, Elizabeth and the Toymaker, the second book in the Dickens Station trilogy. Find out more in this short episode.
9 Mar 2022
Episode 6: Finding My Corner of the Bookstore
In this episode, I briefly discuss how readers find their next exciting adventure and why authors must get to know their “ideal reader.” It’s all about finding your corner of the bookstore, which can be an adventure all its own.
24 Jul 2021
Episode 5: Christmas in July 4 of 4
In this episode, I read the final two scenes of my short story, Christmas Renewal, entitled "Old Joe" and “Reunion.” This is the conclusion of a four-part series featuring Christmas Renewal.
17 Jul 2021
Episode 4: Christmas in July 3 of 4
In this episode, I read the third scene of my short story, Christmas Renewal, entitled "The Veteran." This is the third in a four-part series featuring Christmas Renewal.
10 Jul 2021
Episode 3: Christmas in July 2 of 4
In this episode, I read the second scene of my short story, Christmas Renewal, entitled "The Old Lady at the Church." This is the second in a four-part series featuring Christmas Renewal.
3 Jul 2021
Episode 2: Christmas in July 1 of 4
In this episode, I celebrate Christmas in July and the Fourth of July by reading the first scene of my short story, Christmas Renewal, and giving away gifts. This is the first in a four-part series featuring Christmas Renewal. Today's scene is entitled "Cat Nap."
13 Jun 2021
Episode 1: Story Concept
“Marley was dead, to begin with.” This episode is about the first step in my writing process, developing a concept for the story.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
3,343
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 25 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
12
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
27
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