Episodes

478
Oct. 2, 2024

Mary Webber O'Malley and Pamela Klinger Horn - Fall 2024 Recommended Reads

Mary Webber O'Malley and Pamela Klinger-Horn join me to recommend their favorites reads of Fall 2024. Mary's selections: Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte Eden Undone by Abbott Kahler The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Loigman Remember You Will Die by Eden Robbins American Rapture by CJ Leede Libby Lost and Found by Stephanie Booth Hate Follow by Erin Quinn-Kong Life's Short, Talk Fastbby Ann Hood The Serviceberry by Robin Kimmermer The Hidden Life of...
477
Oct. 1, 2024

Kimberly Brock - THE FABLED EARTH

In this interview, I chat with Kimberly Brock about The Fabled Earth, how she decided to write about Cumberland Island and how she created her characters, building a strong sense of place, looking back on history through a 2024 lens, what makes us human, her cover and title, and much more. Kimberly's recommended reads are: Circe by Madeline Miller Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver Join my Patreon to support the production of my podcast. Other ways to support the podcast can be found her...
477
Oct. 1, 2024

Kimberly Brock - THE FABLED EARTH

In this interview, I chat with Kimberly Brock about The Fabled Earth, how she decided to write about Cumberland Island and how she created her characters, building a strong sense of place, looking back on history through a 2024 lens, what makes us human, her cover and title, and much more. Kimberly's recommended reads are: Circe by Madeline Miller Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver Join my Patreon to support the production of my podcast. Other ways to support the podcast can be found her...
476
Aug. 27, 2024

Kelly Hooker - Our Favorite Books of April - June 2024

In this episode, Kelly and I chat about our favorite books that published in April through June 2024. Our shared top reads: How To Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea Kelly’s remaining top reads: The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez Long After We Are Gone by Terah Shelton Harris I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue Assassins Anonymous by Rob Hart Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe ...
476
Aug. 27, 2024

Kelly Hooker - Our Favorite Books of April - June 2024

In this episode, Kelly and I chat about our favorite books that published in April through June 2024. Our shared top reads: How To Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea Kelly’s remaining top reads: The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez Long After We Are Gone by Terah Shelton Harris I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue Assassins Anonymous by Rob Hart Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe We Used to Live Here by M...
475
Aug. 26, 2024

Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding - ELIZABETH OF EAST HAMPTON

In this interview, I chat with Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding about Elizabeth of East Hampton, how they decided to write together, modernizing Jane Austen and the pressure of updating such an iconic author's works, how writing for television is different than writing novels, how they decide which book to tackle and when, and much more. Audrey's recommended reads are: You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by Victoria Schwab The Paradise Problem by Christin...
474
Aug. 25, 2024

Gill Paul - SCANDALOUS WOMEN

In this interview, I chat with Gill Paul about Scandalous Women, how she decided to write about these two women and why she paired them together, what surprised her the most when writing this one, her fascinating research, the changes these authors made in the publishing industry, and much more. Gill's recommended reads are: Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie The Last Light Over Oslo by Alix Rickloff The Women by Kristin Hannah Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my Summer Readin...
473
Aug. 25, 2024

Alison Espach - THE WEDDING PEOPLE

In this interview, I chat with Alison Espach about The Wedding People, her title and cover, the inspiration for this novel, the role a "stranger" plays in a story, the hardest thing about writing the book, and much more. Alison's recommended reads are: Green Dot by Madeleine Gray Big Swiss by Jen Beagin Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my Summer Reading Guide Preview or my complete printable 12-page 2024 Summer Reading Guide with 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide gre...
475
Aug. 25, 2024

Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding - ELIZABETH OF EAST HAMPTON

In this interview, I chat with Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding about Elizabeth of East Hampton, how they decided to write together, modernizing Jane Austen and the pressure of updating such an iconic author's works, how writing for television is different than writing novels, how they decide which book to tackle and when, and much more. Audrey's recommended reads are: You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by Victoria Schwab The Paradise Problem by Christin...
474
Aug. 25, 2024

Gill Paul - SCANDALOUS WOMEN

In this interview, I chat with Gill Paul about Scandalous Women, how she decided to write about these two women and why she paired them together, what surprised her the most when writing this one, her fascinating research, the changes these authors made in the publishing industry, and much more. Gill's recommended reads are: Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie The Last Light Over Oslo by Alix Rickloff The Women by Kristin Hannah Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my Summer Readin...
473
Aug. 25, 2024

Alison Espach - THE WEDDING PEOPLE

In this interview, I chat with Alison Espach about The Wedding People, her title and cover, the inspiration for this novel, the role a "stranger" plays in a story, the hardest thing about writing the book, and much more. Alison's recommended reads are: Green Dot by Madeleine Gray Big Swiss by Jen Beagin Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my Summer Reading Guide Preview or my complete printable 12-page 2024 Summer Reading Guide with 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide gre...
472
July 24, 2024

Jennifer Mathieu - THE FACULTY LOUNGE

In this interview, I chat with Jennifer Mathieu about The Faculty Lounge, how she began writing this book, writing an adult novel versus a YA book and how the two differ, weaving the characters together, what surprised her the most when writing this one, her fun cover, and much more. Jennifer's recommended reads are: Rift by Cait West I'm Wearing Tunics Now by Wendi Aarons Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my Summer Reading Guide Preview or my complete printable 12-page 2024 Sum...
472
July 24, 2024

Jennifer Mathieu - THE FACULTY LOUNGE

In this interview, I chat with Jennifer Mathieu about The Faculty Lounge, how she began writing this book, writing an adult novel versus a YA book and how the two differ, weaving the characters together, what surprised her the most when writing this one, her fun cover, and much more. Jennifer's recommended reads are: Rift by Cait West I'm Wearing Tunics Now by Wendi Aarons Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my Summer Reading Guide Preview or my complete printable 12-page 2024 Sum...
471
July 18, 2024

Flynn Berry - TRUST HER

In this interview, I chat with Flynn Berry about Trust Her, why she returned to writing about Tessa and Marian, creating such a strong sense of place, focusing on motherhood, her title and cover, her writing process, Northern Spy's screen adaptation, Reese's Lit Up program, and much more. Flynn's recommended reads are: Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my Summer Reading Guide Preview or my complete printable 12-p...
471
July 18, 2024

Flynn Berry - TRUST HER

In this interview, I chat with Flynn Berry about Trust Her, why she returned to writing about Tessa and Marian, creating such a strong sense of place, focusing on motherhood, her title and cover, her writing process, Northern Spy's screen adaptation, Reese's Lit Up program, and much more. Flynn's recommended reads are: Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my Summer Reading Guide Preview or my complete printable 12-p...
470
July 13, 2024

Laura Wood - UNDER YOUR SPELL

In this interview, I chat with Laura Wood about Under Your Spell, writing an adult novel, how she wrote this one, her title and cover, how writing adult novels varies from Young Adult and children's books, her title and cover, and much more. Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my Summer Reading Guide Preview or my complete printable 12-page 2024 Summer Reading Guide with 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer. Want to know which new titles are p...
470
July 13, 2024

Laura Wood - UNDER YOUR SPELL

In this interview, I chat with Laura Wood about Under Your Spell, writing an adult novel, how she wrote this one, her title and cover, how writing adult novels varies from Young Adult and children's books, her title and cover, and much more. Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my Summer Reading Guide Preview or my complete printable 12-page 2024 Summer Reading Guide with 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer. Want to know which new titles are p...
469
July 5, 2024

Kristy Woodson Harvey- A HAPPIER LIFE

In this interview, I chat with Kristy Woodson Harvey about A Happier Life, her title and cover, why this is a very personal story for her, tackling a dual timeline story, unearthing her feelings about traditions, her next book, and much more. Kristy's recommended reads are: Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan A Novel Summer by Jamie Brenner Seven Summer Weekends by Jane L. Rosen The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin A Wedding at Lake Como by Jennifer Probst Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andre...
469
July 5, 2024

Kristy Woodson Harvey- A HAPPIER LIFE

In this interview, I chat with Kristy Woodson Harvey about A Happier Life, her title and cover, why this is a very personal story for her, tackling a dual timeline story, unearthing her feelings about traditions, her next book, and much more. Kristy's recommended reads are: Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan A Novel Summer by Jamie Brenner Seven Summer Weekends by Jane L. Rosen The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin A Wedding at Lake Como by Jennifer Probst Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andre...
468
June 27, 2024

Julie Satow - WHEN WOMEN RAN FIFTH AVENUE

In this interview, I chat with Julie Satow about When Women Ran Fifth Avenue, deciding to write about these women, her research, getting the cover right, how her title came about, and much more. Julie's recommended reads are: Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan All the Summers in Between by Brooke Lea Foster Seven Summer Weekends by Jane L. Rosen Anna Bright Is Hiding Something by Susie Orman Schnall Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my Summer Reading Guide Preview or my comple...
Guest: Julie Satow
468
June 26, 2024

Julie Satow - WHEN WOMEN RAN FIFTH AVENUE

In this interview, I chat with Julie Satow about When Women Ran Fifth Avenue, deciding to write about these women, her research, getting the cover right, how her title came about, and much more. Julie's recommended reads are: Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan All the Summers in Between by Brooke Lea Foster Seven Summer Weekends by Jane L. Rosen Anna Bright Is Hiding Something by Susie Orman Schnall Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my Summer Reading Guide Preview or my comple...
467
June 18, 2024

Laura Hankin - ONE-STAR ROMANCE

In this interview, I chat with Laura Hankin about One-Star Romance, setting the book over a longer period of time than most rom-coms, the publishing world as a backdrop, writing a rom-com versus women's fiction, and much more. Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my Summer Reading Guide Preview or my complete printable 12-page 2024 Summer Reading Guide with 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer (free to paying patrons). Want to know which new ti...
467
June 18, 2024

Laura Hankin - ONE-STAR ROMANCE

In this interview, I chat with Laura Hankin about One-Star Romance, setting the book over a longer period of time than most rom-coms, the publishing world as a backdrop, writing a rom-com versus women's fiction, and much more. Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my Summer Reading Guide Preview or my complete printable 12-page 2024 Summer Reading Guide with 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer (free to paying patrons). Want to know which new ti...
466
June 13, 2024

Clare Pooley - HOW TO AGE DISGRACEFULLY

In this interview, I chat with Clare Pooley about How to Age Disgracefully, including a memorable dog in this book, how readers do not like dogs to die in books, Iona Iverson's various covers and titles, the easiest and hardest characters to write in this one, her research into gang behavior, and much more. Clare's recommended reads are: Weyward by Emilia Hart You Are Here by David Nicholls Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my Summ...
Guest: Clare Pooley