The Best of Women's Fiction

For our last episode of this season, award-winning author Kelly Irvin talks about her most recent release, "The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos," a deeply personal novel inspired by her own experience with ovarian cancer. Kelly has authored more than 35 Amish romances, romantic suspense novels, and novellas. Her latest book, "The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos," recounts the journey o...

Bestselling author Emily Bleeker, with six novels under her belt, is a two-time Whitney Award finalist, Wall Street Journal bestseller, and Amazon charts topper. In her latest historical fiction novel, "When We Were Enemies," Emily unveils a compelling narrative featuring two women from different generations thrust into the spotlight. This powerful novel, inspired by her own family histo...

Katherine Howe is a New York Times bestselling and award-winning historian and novelist. She delves into the riveting world of piracy and maritime history in her latest novel, A True Account: Hannah Masury's Sojourn Amongst the Pyrates, Written by Herself. Drawing inspiration from her own genealogy, the book explores how women looked for their own freedom and independence then and now, weaving...

A special Fall episode featuring hot new releases from our past guests! In this episode we share a range of newly released and upcoming books, from emotional and romantic women’s fiction, to historical fiction, domestic suspense, and even an apocalyptic holiday tale. Acid Christmas by Charlotte Dune Always Orchid by Carol Van Den Hende As Though You Were Mine by J Marie Rundquist The Baby Left Beh...

Award-winning author Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger talks about her first two books in The Diplomat's Wife series: "The American Wife" and "An American Wife in Paris". The third book, "The American Wife's Secret," has just been released. In this gripping World War 2 fiction, we follow the journey of Kitty Larsson, a U.S. senator's daughter whose life takes an unex...

Step back in time with Jane Healey, the Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestselling author of 'The Secret Stealers.' In her latest historical novel, 'Goodnight From Paris,' we're transported to Nazi-occupied France. Here, an American film star embraces her most dangerous role, weaving a tale of loyalty and resistance, inspired by the true story of real-life Hollywood actress...

In this special episode, we showcase six exciting women's fiction debuts. Each of our chosen authors shares insights about their novel, the inspiration behind it, and their best writing advice. From historical fiction to multi-cultural romance and a dose of the supernatural, there's something here for everyone! Anju Gattani author of Dynastie s, Book 1 in the Winds of Fire Series  Lynne Go...

Mary Camarillo is the author of the award-winning novel, "The Lockhart Women." Her poems and short fiction have appeared in publications such as TAB Journal, 166 Palms, Sonora Review, and The Ear. Her latest novel, Those People Behind Us is set in the summer of 2017 in Wellington Beach, California. This captivating story delves into the lives of five neighbors navigating a town divided b...

Vanessa Riley is an award-winning author of historical fiction. Her novels illuminate the hidden histories of Black women and women of color, emphasizing strong sisterhoods and vibrant multicultural communities. Her novel, Island Queen was a Good Morning America Buzz Pick and she was also named the 2023 Georgia Author of the Year Awards Literary Fiction Winner for Sister Mother Warrior. Vanessa ch...

Our choice for the first episode of the new season, Ann Marie Jackson's debut novel, The Broken Hummingbird, was announced as a finalist in the 2023 American Fiction and International Book Awards. Set in the Mexican town of San Miguel de Allende, where Lainey Cameron also resides, this novel wrestles with marital dissolution and cultural dissonance, following a woman’s struggle to truly know h...

In our last episode of this season, we feature four exciting new novels, all releases from our past guests. We showcase new historical fiction from Erin Litteken and KD Allbaugh, set in Ukraine and rural Wisconsin. Plus, two upcoming novels - new contemporary fiction in a poignant sister story from author Jamie Beck (coming in July) and a preview of an upcoming thriller from Maggie Giles, releasin...

NYT and USA TODAY bestselling author Chanel Cleeton is the author of many superb novels including Next Year in Havana, When We Left Cuba, The Last Train to Key West, and more. Her latest release, The Cuban Heiress, follows two women in 1934 with secrets. They set sail aboard the Morro Castle—a luxury cruise liner that sailed between New York and Havana. Chanel shares her inspiration for a story de...

For Women’s Fiction Day 2023, a discussion that tackles the difficult questions surrounding the term “women’s fiction”. With host Lainey Cameron and guests Charlotte Dune, Maggie Smith, Paulette Stout, and author and book coach Kathryn Dodson. In a world recognizing a wide gender spectrum, and after Publishers Marketplace dropped the term, does a gender specific genre like women’s fiction still ma...

Micki Berthelot Morency shares the inspiration behind her debut novel, The Island Sisters. A story about four women from Haiti, St. Thomas, and Guam whose fates are bound together by culture, history, and most importantly, by a deep and irrevocable friendship. The novel is told from alternating perspectives of each friend and delves into an important topic of domestic abuse. A novel that Lainey Ca...

Diane Marie Brown talks about her historical novel, Black Candle Women, recently named as “A Read with Jenna Book Club Pick as Seen on the Today Show.” Jenna Bush Hager says, “If you like Practical Magic… you will love Black Candle Women.” We dive into what inspired Diane Marie Brown to write this particular story and how her own family history inspired the book. In addition, Diane Marie Brown sha...

Our second episode featuring Hot New Releases from our past guests. This time we’re highlighting new books that released in the month of May. We'll introduce you to new historical fiction from Linda Rosen, an exciting new book club novel by Laura Hankin, and a thriller from Regina Buttner. The Emerald Necklace , like Linda Rosen’s prior work, features a unique piece of jewelry, behind which li...

Joani Eliott's novel, The Audacity of Sara Grayson was last year’s winner of Women’s Fiction Writers Association STAR award in the debut category, in addition to winning the Whitney awards in debut novel of the year and general fiction categories. Joani shares the inspiration behind a novel writers and creatives have been raving about, and which reviewers call “witty, funny and delightful”. Fi...

Debut novelist Shaunna J. Edwards & USA Today bestselling Alyson Richman talk about their historical novel, The Thread Collectors, loosely inspired by their own family histories. With Ashley, they discuss their enduring friendship, how they came to be co-writers, and what it was like to transition from friends to colleagues. In addition, they each share great advice for writers, the best books...

Debra Thomas' first novel, Luz, won several awards including the Sarton Award for contemporary fiction. Her second novel, Josie and Vic just released. A brother and sister story of love, loss, and forgiveness, it's been described as "an unforgettable, heart-filled, heart-filling novel”. Debra shares her inspiration, more on that outstanding cover design, her best writing advice, and several book r...

Brenda Janowitz talks about her latest historical novel, The Audrey Hepburn Estate, about a love triangle and the estate where it took place, inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s tendency to be a homebody. This is the third novel in what Ashley lovingly refers to as Brenda’s novels about starlets and the things they own. In addition, Brenda shares great advice for writers, the best books she’s read latel...

A new type of special episode where we feature the latest releases from our past guests. In this episode we introduce you to new fiction from Leanne Treese, Laura Drake, and K.T. Blakemore. Laura’s Drake’s newest novel, AMAZING GRACIE is poignant women’s fiction, a story of family in all its incarnations. FUN LESSONS, the new release from Leanne Treese is a romantic comedy with a serious twist. Th...

Jennifer Rosner’s first novel, The Yellow Bird Sings was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award.  Her new release, Once We Were Home, is historical fiction based on the true stories of children separated and displaced from their parents, during and after World War II. The novel has been called “moving, subtle, and beautifully told”.  Find the recommended books, the author's social...

Stephanie Landsem introduces us to her fifth novel, Code Name Edelweiss Based on true events, the novel tells the story of how a lone Jewish lawyer and a handful of amateur spies discovered and foiled Adolf Hitler's plan to take over Hollywood. Stephanie shares her best writing advice, how she came across the true story that inspired this latest book. Find the books recommended, the author's socia...

A special episode featuring six exciting women’s fiction debuts from the first half of 2023! Each of our six authors shares with Ashley Hasty and Lainey Cameron about their novel, their inspiration, and their best writing advice. * Tracey D Buchanan author of Toward the Corner of Mercy and Peace * Annie Cathryn author of The Friendship Breakup * D. Liebhart author of House on Fire * Donna Norman-C...

Sarah Penner is the author of the New York Times bestseller and breakout debut success, The Last Apothecary. Her new novel, The London Séance Society, tells the tale of two daring women who hunt for truth and justice in the perilous art of conjuring the dead. In the episode, Sarah shares Sarah shares how it felt to live the dream of becoming a break-out success with her debut and leaving her day j...