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Cliffhangers and Cocktails

Cliffhangers and Cocktails

By: Amy Cissell & Shéa MacLeod
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Summary

Fantasy book discussions, author interviews, cocktail recipes (and drinking!), and witchy content. Hosted by Shéa MacCleod and Amy Cissell, USA Today Bestselling Authors of urban fantasy, cozy mysteries, paranormal women's fiction, and all things magical and wonderful.

© 2026 Cliffhangers and Cocktails
Art Literary History & Criticism Spirituality
Episodes
  • Minisode 16: Blessed Beltane!
    May 1 2026

    In today's minisode, you can learn all about the ancient Celtic trampolines, as well as the history of, superstitions around, and modern practices to celebrate Beltane.

    Make yourself a strawberry honey mojito, get your thorn bush decorated for the Best Bush contest, and settle in to this week's minisode!


    Affirmation: The Beltane fires ignite my passion and creativity


    In the Southern Hemisphere? Check out our Samhain Episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2429206/episodes/18110509


    Amy's Beltane Sources

    https://naturallymodernlife.com/beltane-celebrations-for-the-modern-green-witch-altar-ideas-tradition/

    https://www.bpl.org/blogs/post/the-origins-and-practices-of-holidays-beltane-and-the-last-day-of-ridvan/

    https://religionmediacentre.org.uk/factsheets/the-festival-of-beltane/

    https://www.history.com/articles/beltane

    https://www.britannica.com/topic/Celtic-religion/The-Celtic-gods

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beltane

    https://www.pagangrimoire.com/what-is-beltane-celebrate/


    Oracle Deck: Seasons of the Witch Beltane by Lorraine Anderson and Juliet Diaz, Illustrated by Giada Rose: https://www.rockpoolpublishing.com/en-us/products/seasons-of-the-witch-beltane-oracle


    Strawberry Honey Mojito (Energy: Abundance, Love, Creativity, Purification, Joy)

    Ingredients (serves 1)

    • 2-3 TB honey simple syrup (see recipe below)
    • 90 mL (3 oz) white rum
    • 1 lime cut into pieces (leave a half-wheel for garnish)
    • 2 strawberries (+ 1 more for garnish)
    • 4-5 mint leaves (+ more for garnish)
    • Club soda

    Directions

    1. Gently muddle limes, strawberries, and mint leaves in the bottom of a shaker.
    2. Add ice honey syrup & rum & shake it up, baby!
    3. Pour (do not strain!) into a highball glass.
    4. Top with club soda.
    5. Garnish with lime, strawberry, and mint leaves


    Honey simple syrup

    Heat ½ cup of water & ½ cup of honey together, stirring until honey is completely dissolved.

    Watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@cliffhangersandcocktails

    Visit our sponsor, the Paranormal Women's Fiction Bookclub, for a free monthly book at https://pwfbookclub.com/.

    Follow the pod on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/,

    Check out our website at https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/ and sign up for our newsletter!

    Don't forget to like, rate, review, subscribe, and share!


    Thanks - the Caftan Coven

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    48 mins
  • Episode 24: Bad Ass-tronauts, Planetal [sic] Alignments, and an interview with HEATHER G. HARRIS!
    Apr 21 2026

    Today's episode requires Moon joy and a strawberry daiquiri! Join Shéa and Amy as they talk to Heather G. Harris about her upcoming books. We'll also talk about Artemis II, planetary alignment, and the imminent rise of the matriarchy!

    Affirmation: I am worthy of all success.

    Find Heather G. Harris!

    Website: https://heathergharris.com/

    Aria Ashbrook website: https://www.aria-ashbrook.com/

    Amazon: https://www.amazon.es/stores/Heather-G.-Harris/author/B097ZP5J8S

    Free audio books on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@HeatherGHarrisAuthor

    Follow on insta: https://www.instagram.com/heathergharrisauthor/


    Tarot Deck: Murder of Crows Tarot by Corrado Roy: https://www.loscarabeo.com/products/murder-of-crows-tarot

    Last chance to support Shéa's kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sheamacleod/lady-rample-steps-out-special-edition-cozy-mystery-hardback

    Give the syrups episode a re-listen: https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/episodes/episode/7f33b886/the-witchs-liquor-cabinet-stirring-up-spells-and-syrups-a-minisode


    Strawberry Daiquiri (Energy: Purification, love, good luck, abundance, community building, matriarchal energy)

    Ingredients (one large serving):

    • 1 heaping cup strawberries, fresh or frozen
    • 90 mL (3 oz) light rum
    • 60 mL (2 oz) lime juice, freshly squeezed
    • 2 TB agave nectar or simple syrup (Amy used strawberry simple syrup)

    Optional Garnishes: fresh slices of lime, strawberries, or sprigs of mint

    Directions:

    For blended (the Shéa way)

    Add all ingredients to a heavy-duty blender. If using fresh strawberries, add ice. Blend just until smooth. Use rubber spatula to fully transfer into the glass of your choice. Garnish as desired and serve while very cold.

    For on the rocks (the Amy way)

    Muddle strawberries in the bottom of the shaker. Add rum, lime juice, and strawberry simple syrup. Fill shaker with ice and shake until your hand is wicked cold. Fill glass of your choice with ice, and strain drink into the glass. Garnish with lime and strawberry.



    Watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@cliffhangersandcocktails

    Visit our sponsor, the Paranormal Women's Fiction Bookclub, for a free monthly book at https://pwfbookclub.com/.

    Follow the pod on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/,

    Check out our website at https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/ and sign up for our newsletter!

    Don't forget to like, rate, review, subscribe, and share!


    Thanks - the Caftan Coven

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Minisode 15: Writing Inspiration - TV, Movies, and eavesdropping
    Apr 14 2026

    Pulling from the archives of unpublished awesomeness! This week's minisode covers the way TV and movies inspire our writing. (We also talk about football, fairy tales, and eavesdropping.)

    Join us for an overview of our favorite witchy media!

    Let us know what inspires you - or what you think should inspire us! (Head on over to our instagram to see the brackets of Amy's 2023 Vampire Showdown - and let us know if you'd like to see another contest for 2026!)



    Watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@cliffhangersandcocktails

    Visit our sponsor, the Paranormal Women's Fiction Bookclub, for a free monthly book at https://pwfbookclub.com/.

    Follow the pod on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/,

    Check out our website at https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/ and sign up for our newsletter!

    Don't forget to like, rate, review, subscribe, and share!


    Thanks - the Caftan Coven

    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
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