Cliffhangers and Cocktails

Amy Cissell & Shéa MacLeod

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Books
Updated Biweekly

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.

3d ago

Episode 59: Witchcraft | Using Whiskey in Ancestral Rites

Got thoughts? Let us know! In this episode of Cliffhangers & Cocktails (and just in time for Northern Hemisphere Samhain), Shéa and Amy pull from their May episode with C. N. Rowan to dive deeper into using whiskey in ancestral rites. We also talk the history of whiskey, generational trauma - and blessings! - and of course, general shenanigans. There’s also an affirmation and our usual divination draw! The full show notes, including recipes for today’s cocktails, are on our website: https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/post/episode-59-ancestral-rites Resources https://zora.medium.com/heres-why-we-offer-spirits-for-the-spirits-ec1406125fbb https://www.wyrdandflame.com/wyrd-wisdom/how-to-build-your-own-altar https://www.patheos.com/blogs/nightowlmeditations/2018/06/ancestor-altar-and-veneration/ Mystic Sisters Oracle by Emily Balivet: https://www.emilybalivet.com 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 https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/ and TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@cliffhangers.cocktails Check out our website at https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/ for complete show notes and sign up for our newsletter! Don't forget to like, rate, review, subscribe, and share! Thanks - the Caftan Coven
Oct 13

Episode 58: Waxing Moon Magic and an Interview with TJ GREEN!

Got thoughts? Let us know! In this episode of Cliffhangers & Cocktails, Shéa and Amy talk to TJ Green about her urban fantasy book, “Blood, Feather, and Bone,” Book 4 in her Storm Moon Shifters series and living our best lives as really real witches. We also talk spicy margaritas, share this week’s affirmation, share some waxing moon rituals, and end with our usual divination draw! Also, Amy built a whole app to track productivity and mood and compare it against the moon phase and the seasons. She has no idea if it actually works or not for anyone but her but would love for you to test it and give feedback! https://caftancoven-lunar-flow.base44.app) #caftancovenlunarflow The full show notes, including recipes for today’s cocktails, are on our website: https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/post/episode-58-TJ-Green Hekate Queen of the Witches Oracle Grimoire: https://www.queerdivine.co.uk/product-page/hekate-oracle-deck Find TJ! Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, Amazon, BookBub, Ream, YouTube, and a wonderful Facebook group called TJ's Inner Circle. Please come and join us. Where to buy the books and merchandise: https://happenstancebookshop.com/ Blog on Substack: Where the Witches Gather 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 https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/ and TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@cliffhangers.cocktails Check out our website at https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/ for complete show notes and sign up for our newsletter! Don't forget to like, rate, review, subscribe, and share! Thanks - the Caftan Coven
Oct 6

Episode 57: Writing Craft | Using Tarot to Guide Your Writing

Got thoughts? Let us know! In this episode of Cliffhangers & Cocktails, Shéa and Amy discuss using tarot cards as a tool to guide our writing. We also talk espresso cocktails, share this week’s affirmation, ask some silly supernatural questions, and end with a tarot-card promise! The full show notes, including recipes for today’s cocktails, are on our website: https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/post/episode-57-deal-me-in Decks Murder of Crows Tarot by Corrado Roi: https://www.loscarabeo.com/products/murder-of-crows-tarot Find Your Magic Tarot by Giulia Manzi & illustrated by Sara Rotlich: https://www.tarotshop.com/en-eu/products/9781646712069 Ethereal Visions Illuminated Tarot: https://www.etherealvisionstarot.com/ Resources Tarot for Writers book: https://amzn.to/4yCVj2S https://savethecat.com/beat-sheets https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/tarot-as-a-tool-for-writing/ https://www.writersdigest.com/be-inspired/tarot-in-the-writing-process-leveraging-tarot-readings-as-a-creative-catalyst https://bookriot.com/tarot-cards-as-a-writers-tool/ https://diymfa.com/writing/tarot-cards-for-storytellers-part-1/ 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 https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/ and TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@cliffhangers.cocktails Check out our website at https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/ for complete show notes and sign up for our newsletter! Don't forget to like, rate, review, subscribe, and share! Thanks - the Caftan Coven
Sep 29

Episode 56: An Interview with STEPHANIE MIRRO

Got thoughts? Let us know! In this episode of Cliffhangers & Cocktails, we interview STEPHANIE MIRRO about writing urban fantasy, Stephanie’s author journey, character development, and the inspiration behind WINGS OF FIRE. We also talk about magical margaritas, share this week’s affirmation, ask some silly supernatural questions, and draw an oracle card. The full show notes, including recipes for today’s cocktails, are on our website: https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/post/episode-56-stephanie-mirro Find Stephanie! https://www.stephaniemirro.comfacebook.com/stephaniemirroinstagram.com/stephaniemirrotiktok.com/@stephaniemirroauthorGet the Priestess Oracle: https://earthmoonmagick.com/products/priestess-oracle-deck 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 https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/ and TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@cliffhangers.cocktails Check out our website at https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/ for complete show notes and sign up for our newsletter! Don't forget to like, rate, review, subscribe, and share! Thanks - the Caftan Coven
Sep 22

From the Archives: Blessed Mabon!

Got thoughts? Let us know! Today is the autumnal equinox in the northern hemisphere, so in honor that holiday, we’re bringing back our most popular Sabbat episode ever! On today's episode, which originally aired in September 2025, we talked a little about the history, celebrations, and themes around the holiday. Pour yourself a glass of wine or a Maple Old Fashioned and settle in for a look at the Equinox! (And don’t worry, Southern Hemisphere besties - II’ve got your link to our Ostara episode right here! YouTube: https://youtu.be/xLUtv6C5pVU Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cliffhangers-and-cocktails/id1790481380?i=1000756120471 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Z5AqdqYo7NSwNyDprQ4hE?si=5ebe0a2a45684a46 Other: https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/episodes/episode/8022d1cd/minisode-13-happy-ostara Today's deck was the Seasons of the Witch Oracle by Lorriane Anderson & Juliet Diaz, illustrated by Tijana Lukovic. https://www.rockpoolpublishing.com/en-au/products/seasons-of-the-witch-mabon-oracle For complete show notes and recipe, visit us at: https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/post/rerun-mabon 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 https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/ and TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@cliffhangers.cocktails Check out our website at https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/ for complete show notes and sign up for our newsletter! Don't forget to like, rate, review, subscribe, and share! Thanks - the Caftan Coven
Sep 21

Episode 55: ARCANE AWAKENINGS, Money Pigs, and Puppy Piddles

Got thoughts? Let us know! OMFG y'all! This episode was uploaded about 10 days ago and was supposed to go live on the 15th of September. HOWEVER - apparently, for the first time in ages, I had a tech glitch. And also for the first time in ages, I did not double check that everything worked, so I only noticed when I came back to upload this week's episode. So - you get new stuff two days in a row! The Kickstarter has been live for a week now and is fully funded and is working towards the awesomesauce stretch goals. Go to the KS site and pledge your support! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/arcaneawakenings/arcane-awakenings *** In today’s episode of Cliffhangers and Cocktails, Shéa interviews five of the eighteen authors (including our very own Amy Cissell) who are part of the Arcane Awakenings anthology that went live on Kickstarter today! We also discuss a few magical ways to wake your own creativity, share our magical and mystical drinks, and as always, try to have a few shenanigans. The full show notes, including recipes for today’s cocktails, are on our website: https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/post/episode-55-arcane-awakenings Find our Guests! https://www.instagram.com/author_danielcoolbaugh/ https://www.popskullproductions.com https://benschenkman.com https://cthomaslafollette.com https://amycissell.com https://thefantasyandscififanaticspod.com 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 https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/ and TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@cliffhangers.cocktails Check out our website at https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/ for complete show notes and sign up for our newsletter! Don't forget to like, rate, review, subscribe, and share! Thanks - the Caftan Coven
Sep 8

Episode 54: The Witch’s Liquor Cabinet: A Twist of Magic

Got thoughts? Let us know! In today’s episode of Cliffhangers and Cocktails, Shéa and Amy Just Say No — to Ghosts! We’re talking spirit-free fun with mocktails. Not everyone wants to drink all the time. Not everyone drinks. We wanted to make sure to cover sans alcohol drinks that are still totally witchy and 100% spellcraft. Yay, potions! Now, sit back, grab your fave N/A beverage (ideas in the website show notes), relax, and enjoy a Twist of Magic with Amy & Shéa! Resources Portland bars https://www.ravensmanorexperience.com https://havalinapdx.com Julia Halina Hadas: https://witchcraftcocktails.com/mystical-mocktails/ Depression (Wacky) Cake https://iambaker.net/depression-cake/ https://sweetlittlebluebird.com/tried-true-tuesday-crazy-for-crazywacky/ Mystic Sisters Oracle by Emily Balivet: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1572817887? https://emilybalivet.com 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 https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/ and TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@cliffhangers.cocktails Check out our website at https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/ for complete show notes and sign up for our newsletter! Don't forget to like, rate, review, subscribe, and share! Thanks - the Caftan Coven
Sep 1

Episode 53: Very Stable Geniuses Fart Out Perfect First Drafts!

Got thoughts? Let us know! Nobody’s perfect. (Or are they?) In today’s episode of Cliffhangers and Cocktails, Shéa and Amy sit down to discuss the myth of the perfect first draft in a one-hit wonder episode about writing craft. This week’s episode was recorded a million years (give or take almost a million years) ago in late 2025 but never saw the light of day. UNTIL NOW. Now, while I did consider NOT editing this episode to really share what the first draft of a podcast looks like, I decided against it. Please let us know about both your moral outrage AND any resources you use when creating your first drafts! Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the perfection of #hotmessauthors Amy & Shéa! Ritual and complete notes at: https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/episode-53-episode-53-hotmessauthors Resources Why ‘The Perfect First Draft’ is a Myth by Josh Spilker (behind the Medium paywall): https://medium.com/create-make-write/why-the-perfect-first-draft-is-a-myth-adaac2c654ca S****y First Drafts by Anne Lamott: https://wrd.as.uky.edu/sites/default/files/1-Shitty%20First%20Drafts.pdf Write Novels Fast: Down and Dirty Draft: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0748PSJJK 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 https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/ and TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@cliffhangers.cocktails Check out our website at https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/ for complete show notes and sign up for our newsletter! Don't forget to like, rate, review, subscribe, and share! Thanks - the Caftan Coven

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

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.

Creator

Amy Cissell & Shéa MacLeod
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

66
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 Cliffhangers and Cocktails
Show Website

Cliffhangers and Cocktails