The Best of Women's Fiction

Elissa Grosell Dickey shares the inspiration behind The Speed of Light, a novel described as “a gripping page-turner, infused with a compassionate and insightful look at chronic illness.” She shares her real life experience that led to writing a character recently diagnosed with MS, and a sneak peek of her second novel, Iris in the Dark, which releases in June.  Find the books recommended, th...

Kristy Woodson Harvey shares the inspiration for The Wedding Veil, her latest novel about four women and how a family heirloom connects them. We chat about how Kristy serendipitously found inspiration from her own wedding veil as well as a fateful visit to the Biltmore mansion. She also shares her best writing advice, what it was like researching during the pandemic, and a few of her current favor...

A special episode featuring six exciting women’s fiction debuts from the first half of 2022! Each of our six authors shares a little about their novel, their inspiration, and their best writing advice. Maggie Giles author of The Things We Lost / Melanie Mitzner author of Slow Reveal / J. Marie Rundquist author of All I'm Asking / Shauna Robinson author of  Must Love Books / Lisa Roe author of...

Elise Hooper and Ashley Hasty talk about Angels of the Pacific, which New York Times bestselling author Lauren Willig described as "Absolutely riveting. A stay-up-all night read about two very different women who discover just how strong they can be—and just how much they'll dare—during the brutal Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II. This story of endurance and sisterh...

Maggie Smith shares the inspiration behind her debut novel, Truth and Other Lies, which has been described as “twisty, timely, and rivetingly thought-provoking.” The story brings together three women whose lives converge as one fights a devastating accusation, another campaigns for a contested seat in Congress, and one, a young reporter with ties to both, navigates the tricky line between secrets...

Adele Myers chats about her debut novel, The Tobacco Wives, which Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author described as, "a story of courage, of women willing to take a stand in the face of corporate greed, and most definitely a tale for our times.” She also shares her advice for writers who have not yet been published, the books that Influenced her, and family objects that inspired the nove...

Award-winning author, Lisa Barr, shares the inspiration for her latest release. Woman on Fire is the story of a young journalist who gets embroiled in a dangerous international art scandal centered around a Nazi looted masterpiece. We chat about how Lisa found inspiration for a fabulous character like journalist Jules Roth. Plus why Lisa's focus on stolen art, and how some of the story draws from...

Diana Giovinazzo and Ashley Hasty talk about Antoinette's Sister, which USA Bestselling author Heather Webb calls "A sweeping tale of power, love, and the bonds of family...” We chat about how Diana first learned about her protagonist, Maria Carolina Charlotte, and how her family history led her to write in the first place. She also shares her journey to publication, her best writing advice, and w...

Nikki May joins us from the UK to chat about her debut novel, Wahala, which was named a most anticipated book of 2022 by Vogue, Marie Claire, Glamour, Essence, and more. Wahala, which means trouble, follows three Anglo-Nigerian best friends and the lethally glamorous fourth woman who infiltrates their group. Find the books recommended, the author's social media links, and the video version of this...

Fiona Davis is a New York Times  bestselling author whose works of historical fiction featuring iconic buildings in New York City have been selected as a Good Morning America book club pick and chosen as “One Book, One Community” reads. She talks about her latest novel, The Magnolia Palace, which is set at the Frick Mansion. The novel is written as a dual timeline, alternating between 1919 an...

Mansi Shah and Lainey talk about The Taste of Ginger, which Booklist calls “a poignant debut novel, that touches on the immigrant experience in America”. We chat about how Mansi weaved important themes into a novel which many readers have called “thought-provoking” and makes for great book club conversation. Also, how growing up with no stories that represented her cultural heritage provided Mansi...

Kimmery Martin is an emergency medicine doctor-turned novelist whose works of medical fiction have been praised by The Harvard Crimson, Southern Living, The New York Times, and others. She talks about her latest novel, Doctors and Friends, which is set during a pandemic. Written before Covid 19, the novel is prescient in how it follows a group of doctor friends as a contagious virus spreads around...

Colleen van Niekerk, author of A Conspiracy of Mothers, talks about the inspiration for a novel set in South Africa, which tells the story of three mothers whose lives intersect during a generation-defining period in history. A Conspiracy of Mothers tells a story of love and betrayal from multiple perspectives while deftly balancing the painful legacy of apartheid with the trials of motherhood. Fi...

Starting in the 2022 season, Ashley Hasty, founder of The Hasty Booklist, will be joining Lainey Cameron as co-host on The Best of Women’s Fiction Podcast. Learn more about Ashley, what she likes to read, and her progress as a future published author. Also learn how, together, she and Lainey will be choosing the guests to invite for the early 2022 season of The Best of Women’s Fiction Podcast. Vis...

Phoebe Fox, author of six novels, joins to talk about her latest release The Way We Weren’t. She shares the inspiration behind a novel that Booklist called "a study in contrasts: tragic yet heart-warming, suspenseful yet comforting." Plus, why she decided to come clean on her alter-ego as Tiffany Yates Martin, one of the publishing industry’s most successful developmental editors. Find the books r...

Alice Early talks about The Moon Always Rising, a story that takes the reader on a journey from the Caribbean island of Nevis to the Highlands of Scotland. The novel is already a multiple-award winner, including overall winner in the 2020 National Indie Excellence and American Fiction Awards. It’s also unusual in that one of the main characters is a ghost. Find the books recommended, the author's...

Two-time Pushcart prize nominee and winner of the Women’s National Book Association’s Effie Lee Morris Prize, Joan Gelfand introduces us to her novel, Extreme. Set in the pressure cooker environment of Silicon Valley startups, Extreme takes the reader inside the gamification of extreme sports.  Find the books recommended, the author's social media links, and the video version of this episode...

Jenn Bouchard, talks about her debut novel, First Course, a finalist in the 2021 American Fiction Awards. She shares her inspiration for a book about second acts, why she decided to set the book in coastal Maine, and how she approached writing about a real location. Plus, her path to publication, and why Jenn told to go with a small publisher. Find the books she recommends, her social media links,...

Joy Jordan-Lake is the bestselling author of eight books, several historical fiction. She shares the inspiration and background behind her latest novel, Under A Gilded Moon. A must-not-miss episode for lovers and writers of historical fiction. Inspired by the story of the building of the Biltmore estate, the novel is told from the point of view of Kerry MacGregor, from a poor family, who is torn b...

Kalyn Fogarty shares the inspiration behind What We Carry, a novel that deals with miscarriage, a topic often underrepresented in women’s fiction.  She talks about her personal experience that led to writing a novel of hope around such an important and heart-breaking experience, her own writing journey, her approach to self-care, and her hope that the novel will be healing for others. Find Ka...

Leslie Hooton, author of The Secret of Rainy Days talks about how friendships save our lives, how it felt to be nominated for a Zibby award, and how she writes and edits all of her books using dictation. Find Leslie's social media links, the books she recommends and the video version of this episode at www. BestofWomensFiction.com All books featured on the podcast are listed in Lainey's recommende...

Washington Post and Amazon charts bestselling author Kerry Anne King chats about her latest novel, Other People’s Things. Kerry shares secrets on the inspiration behind the story, her writing and editing process, and awesome wisdom for other writers. Find Kerry's social media links, the books she recommends and the video version of this episode at www. BestofWomensFiction.com All books featured on...

This week, the winners of the 2021 STAR award for women's fiction will be announced by Women’s Fiction Writers Association.  All six finalists (there's two categories - debut and general) have been on this podcast! In this special episode, you'll learn about the six finalists’ winning books and hear their best writer insights and advice. Find links to the authors' books, websites, and the vid...

KD Allbaugh shares the inspiration behind her novel, Face Down in Rising Sun, which was chosen as one of only three finalists in the debut category of the 2021 STAR awards by Women’s Fiction Writers Association Find KD's social media links, the books she recommends and the video version of this episode at www. BestofWomensFiction.com All books featured on the podcast are listed in Lainey's recomme...

Cara Sue Achterberg, author of Blind Turn, chosen as the Maxy Awards 2021 Book of the Year. Cara shares her inspiration for the story described as a “deeply felt” page-turner, which explores a mother’s worst nightmare – when her daughter is responsible for a fatal texting and driving accident. Find Cara's social media links, the books she recommends and the video version of this episode at www. Be...