“This Weekend in America with Ric Bratton:” Joanne ‘Gram’ Radke’s “The Sanctuary: Romance, Murder & Mystery”

by ReadersMagnet | March 31, 2025 | radio interview | 0

On the latest episode of “This Weekend in America,” Ric Bratton hosted an engaging conversation with Joanne ‘Gram’ Radke, co-author of The Sanctuary: Romance, Murder & Mystery, a captivating tale that intricately weaves together themes of love, danger, and compelling human relationships.

Joanne, alongside late co-author Shirley K. Smith, brings readers a story filled with twists, turns, and deep emotional engagement. The plot centers around two lifelong friends, Sharon and Janice, who, after life’s curveballs – Janice’s return to the small town following the tragic death of her parents and Sharon’s loss of her husband – decided to open a bed and breakfast in a charming, quiet village. However, their dream soon turns nightmarish when a series of gruesome murders rock the city.

The duo’s journey from friends to co-authors was sparked when Shirley, in her retirement, decided to embark on writing her first novel. Joanne, a seasoned writer with decades of pastoral and counseling experience, joined Shirley in the endeavor, combining their skills and life experiences to craft The Sanctuary.

In the interview, Ric Bratton was eager to delve into the story’s development, especially the intriguing concept of the murders. Joanne shared how the scarecrow murders – where victims are hung in a farmer’s field – came about, inspired by Shirley’s fascination with the eerie image of scarecrows. “The actual story… Shirley started it, her idea with the scarecrows and all of that,” Joanne explained, revealing the creative process behind their collaboration.

The book’s setting – a bed and breakfast retreat – also came from the author’s experience. Joanne has hosted a bed and breakfast at her home for several years, which gave her insight into creating a genuine atmosphere for the story. “We had been doing bed and breakfast ourselves at our home here for a few years, so we knew the concept,” Joanne noted, revealing that many elements of the book were drawn from real-life experiences.

The book is more than just a mystery. Joanne emphasized the themes of friendship, teamwork, and romance intertwined with the investigation. As the CIA agent Raymond and his brother Jason, a cook, assist in solving the murders, sparks fly between the characters, adding a delightful layer of romance to the suspense. “So, romance happens with the two girls and the two guys, and it’s all intertwined in a fun, delightful story,” Joanne said enthusiastically.

While the plot provides the thrills of a murder mystery, it also offers readers a meaningful exploration of romantic and platonic relationships. Joanne hopes that readers take away the importance of connection and collaboration. “I hope they’ll find it kind of an enjoyable, delightful read… friendship and working together,” she said. This blend of warmth and mystery makes The Sanctuary a truly captivating read.

Joanne shared how her creative process unfolds, like watching a movie in her mind, letting the plot evolve naturally as she writes. This organic development, she explained, was key to creating the twists and turns that keep readers on edge. “It’s like a movie in my mind. One thing happens, and then something else pops into my mind,” she shared, providing insight into her free-flowing writing method.

When asked about the challenging aspects of writing, Joanne highlighted the difficulty of tying up loose ends at the end of the book. Ensuring all plot points were resolved without leaving readers with unanswered questions was a crucial part of the process. “The most difficult was completing all the loose ends… making sure that the right clues are getting forth,” she explained.

Beyond the mystery genre, Joanne’s career includes children’s books that convey valuable life lessons. Her books Jessica the Dreamer and Jessica’s Dilemma tackle essential topics such as hope, forgiveness, and self-empowerment. “Kids nowadays don’t have any hope, and they don’t dream anymore. A child can be anything they wanna be with God’s help,” Joanne said, underscoring the importance of nurturing dreams and teaching young readers to forgive.

As for advice to budding writers, Joanne offered two key recommendations: Write daily and keep a journal of ideas and dreams. “Write every day if you can, and keep a journal or one of your voice messages on your phone,” she advised, emphasizing the importance of consistently capturing fleeting thoughts and inspirations.

The Sanctuary promises readers a memorable adventure that is both heartwarming and thrilling with its mix of mystery, romance, and complex characters.

Grab a copy of The Sanctuary: Romance, Murder & Mystery on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and ReadersMagnet Bookstore. Learn more about Joanne ‘Gram’ Radke and her works by visiting her website at https://www.joanneradkebooks.com/. Listen to the full interview on ReadersMagnet’s official YouTube channel.