The Best of Women's Fiction

USA Today bestselling author, Sonali Dev, introduces us to her new women’s fiction novel, THE VIBRANT YEARS, which chosen as the first novel to be released by Mindy Kaling’s new imprint, Mindy’s Book Studio.  The story of three generations of women, Mindy describes the book as “a joyful and fun read”, “a tale about a group of underestimated women demanding respect and embracing their most aut...

In this episode, Madeline Martin chats about her latest historical novel, THE LIBRARIAN SPY, based on the true story of American librarians spying for the American government with little to no training during World War II. We meet Ava, an American librarian at the Library of Congress who travels to Lisbon to gather intelligence and ends up communicating through coded messages with Elaine, A french...

Linda Williamson Rosenberg talks with us about her debut novel, Embers on the Wind. Telling a tale centered around Whittaker House, a haunted stop on the Underground Railroad, past and present converge in this novel about women connected by motherhood, slavery’s legacy, and histories that span centuries. Find the recommended books, the author's social media links, and the video version of this epi...

In this episode, Jenni L. Walsh talks to Ashley about her latest historical novel, THE CALL OF THE WRENS, a little-known story about a group of women who were assigned to train and deliver carrier pigeons to the front line of World War II. Jenni talks about the difference between writing about real, well-known women in history versus telling true stories through the eyes of fictional characters, w...

Lauren Belfer is a New York Times bestselling author and a past winner of winner of the Washington Post Best Novel and NPR Best Mystery of the Year prizes. She introduces us to her latest novel, Ashton Hall, where an American woman and her son unearth the buried secrets and past lives of an English manor house. Find the recommended books, the author's social media links, and the video version of t...

In this episode, Louisa Treger talks about her latest historical novel, MADWOMAN, inspired by the true story of Nelly Bly, an investigative journalist who faked madness and got herself committed to an insane asylum in the late 1800s. Louisa talks about how her background as an orchestral performer helped her career as a writer, why she made the career transition, and how she first heard about Nell...

Noué Kirwan introduces us to the inspiration behind her debut novel, Long Past Summer. The novel looks at the delicate and powerful thread that binds and breaks friends and flames.  USA Today bestselling author bestselling author, Jamie Beck describes Kirwan as “a welcome, smart new voice in romantic women’s fiction.” “Long Past Summer delves into family, friendships, and romantic love, deftl...

In this episode, Penny Haw talks about her debut historical novel, THE INVINCIBLE MISS CUST, inspired by the true story of Aleen Isabel Cust, Britain and Ireland's first female veterinary surgeon. Penny talks about her love of animals and how they inspire her writing, how she first heard about Aleen Cust’s story, and what it was in her own past that led her to write about a veterinary surgeon.&nbs...

Jeannée Sacken’s first novel, Behind the Lens won the 2022 American Writing Awards Hawthorne Prize and Book of the Year in fiction, women’s fiction and suspense, in addition to several other awards.  Her new novel, Double Exposure, is also set in Afghanistan featuring Annie Hawkins Greene, a war zone photojournalist. Find the recommended books, the author's social media links, and the video v...

In this episode, Erin Littenken talks about her debut novel, THE MEMORY KEEPER OF KYIV, a dual timeline story that follows Katya’s life beginning in the 1930s during the Holodomor, a man-made famine instigated by Stalin and 70 years later with Katya’s granddaughter facing her own struggles and learning of her grandmother’s past. Erin talks about the journey she took to becoming an author, the fami...

Soraya Lane, bestselling author of historical and contemporary women’s fiction, introduces us to her new series, The Lost Daughters. The Italian Daughter, first in the new series, is a dual timeline novel which takes the reader to Italy, both in 1946 and to a beautiful vineyard in present day.  Readers describe the novel as emotional, heart-breaking and “full of hope and love”.  Soraya c...

In this episode, Lynda Cohen Loigman talks about her latest novel, THE MATCHMAKER’S GIFT, a dual timeline story set between 1910 and the 1960s. She talks about the real-life stories that served as the initial spark of inspiration for the plot, how each of her novels, though under the umbrella of historical fiction, has its own personality, and how her daughter coming home from college in the midst...

Jen Craven writes upmarket women’s fiction where one decision changes everything. Her latest novel, Best Years of Your Life, takes place on a college campus, following the path of three women with big secrets. Early reviews describe the novel as gripping and a fast and exciting read.  Jen explains how her decade as a college instructor inspired her love of campus settings. And she shares how...

In this episode, Catherine Adel West talks about her sophomore novel, THE TWO LIVES OF SARA, which is set in the midst of the civils right movement in 1960s Memphis. She talks about how it is a companion novel to her debut, SAVING RUBY KING, and how her writing process differed between writing a contemporary book versus a historical book. In addition, she shares great advice for writers and we sha...

Pamela Stockwell joins us to chat about her debut novel, A Boundless Place, which has been described as heartfelt, touching, and a delightful "slice-of-life story".   In celebration of our 100th episode, we are doing a giveaway of this fabulous novel (Plus, for every entry, the Best of Women’s Fiction Podcast will donate to The National Kidney Foundation. Enter here !) Set in 1969, A Bou...

The Beach Trap has been hailed as “an enchanting, heartwarming story” (NYT bestseller Ali Hazelwood), and “the ultimate vacation read” (Colleen Oakley). Author Ali Brady (aka Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey) join us to share how they co-wrote such a winning novel. Also, how it wasn’t the first book they worked on together, insights on how they became co-authors, and their best writing advice. W...

In this episode, Kerry Chaput shares how researching her husband’s family history inspired her to write DAUGHTER OF THE KING, which is about the protestant struggle in Catholic France in the 1600s and based on the real story of girls known as a daughter of the king who were taken from poverty, given money and protection and allowed to select their own husbands through an interview process if they...

Just released on paperback, and already in TV development, A Special Place for Women, tells the story of a New York City club where only the most important women receive an invitation. But one undercover reporter is about to infiltrate this female-run secret society and expose their secrets. Laura shares how she was inspired by  the experience of entering an exclusive all women’s club, plus f...

In this episode, Aimie Runyan shares why her latest novel was the perfect book to write during the pandemic lockdown and why she never could have written it in happier times. THE SCHOOL FOR GERMAN BRIDES is about the unlikely friendship between a young German girl sent to a horrific “bride school” and a young Jewish woman who is about to give birth. Find the books recommended, the author's social...

Marilyn Simon Rothstein, an author who is known for her sharp humor, introduces us to Crazy to Leave You, a novel which Booklist called a “fast-paced and entertaining story will appeal to those who like tales of women succeeding on their own terms.”  Find the show notes, the author's social media links, and the video version of this episode at www. BestofWomensFiction.com All books featured o...

In this episode, Heather Webb shares the real-life stories of people passing through Ellis Island, as well as the historical backdrop of the time that inspired her latest novel THE NEXT SHIP HOME. We also chat about Heather’s reading world which transitioned into us sharing some of our favorite con-artist television shows. She also shares the best advice she has for aspiring authors. Find the book...

Veena Rao shares the inspiration behind her novel, Purple Lotus, the winner in the 2021 American Fiction Awards (multi-cultural category). A tale of an immigrant who comes to Atlanta through marriage, the novel has been described as  a "dazzling tale of an Indian-American woman finding her way through the labyrinth of tradition to self-awareness in the modern world" (Elaine Neil Orr, author o...

In this episode Denny S. Bryce chats about her latest novel, IN THE FACE OF THE SUN, as well as the four books she’s currently in the process of writing. We dive into her research, the inspiration behind the title and the story, as well as the writing advice that I especially needed to hear this week. Described as “The best kind of historical novel: immersive, mysterious and evocative,” by Ms. Mag...

Award-winning author, Laura Drake introduces us to her newest novel, The Road to Me, which has been described as “an unforgettable story of self-discovery and survival, reconciliation and redemption.” (bestselling author, Barbara Claypole White).  Laura Drake's first novel, The Sweet Spot, was a double-finalist and then won the 2014 Romance Writers of America® RITA® award. She's since publish...

Kimberly Brock shares the inspiration behind The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare, a novel described as “complex, compelling, and beautifully crafted” by William Kent Kreuger, New York Times bestselling author. In this episode Kimberly Brock tells us what caused her to cry during her research phase, when I asked her for her best advice for her fellow authors she gave the most accurate description of what...