The Best of Women's Fiction

Pushcart Prize nominee, Sheryl J. Bize-Boutte chats about her novel, Betrayal on the Bayou. Sheryl is a multidisciplinary writer whose work, while great storytelling, also gets across deeper meaning about the politics and economics of race.  Connect with Sheryl and learn more about her books at www.sheryljbize-boutte.com or on Twitter @bizebos Snag your copy of Betrayal on the Bayou on booksh...

Maddie Dawson chats about her latest release, The Magic of Found Objects , which is already an Amazon # 1 bestseller in women’s friendship and humorous fiction, and has 1700+ great reviews, plus she has great advice for writers. Connect with Maddie and learn more about her books at www.maddiedawson.com or on Instagram @maddiedaws Find your copy of The Magic of Found Objects on bookshop.org or on A...

C. D’Angelo shares her debut novel, The Difference , about protagonist Rachel Granza who delves into her Italian American heritage as a way to find her confidence in the future. We chat about the source of C D'Angelo's inspiration which actually started with the centennial of the Titanic sinking. Also, the seemingly never-ending task of editing and revising a novel, and what changed in this o...

Anisha Bhatia shares the inspiration behind her witty and fabulous debut novel called The Rules of Arrangement in the US, and What Are We Doing About Zoya? in the UK , Australia and around the world.   This is a perfect book if you’re a fan of Bridget Jones or books that take you inside a character's head or to a potentially new culture and location. A laugh out loud comedy of manners se...

Kristin Contino chat about her new release, A House Full of Windsor , which reviewers are calling nostalgic, charming, and full of family drama.  Find A House of Windsor  on bookshop.org and the two novels Kristin recommends When We're Thirty by Casey Dembowski and Once Upon A Royal Summer by Teri Wilson. Connect with Kristin and learn more about her books at www.kristincontino.com or on...

Lyn Liao Butler shares the inspiration behind her debut novel, The Tiger Mom's Tale, a book which takes us to Taiwan. It already achieved a coveted starred review from Publishers Weekly, who call the novel “riveting” and say it “breathes new zesty life into women’s fiction”.  We chat about the concept of “own voices” and cultural representation, and Lyn's writing advice. Find The Tiger Mom's...

Joyce Yarrow joins Lainey on the release of her fifth novel, Sandstorm , to chat about how the novel was inspired by her childhood in the Bronx, the shaky line between law-abiding and not, and her best writing advice. Find Sandstorm and Joyce's other novels on bookshop.org as well as the new read she recommends (releasing late July), The Wilderness Between Us by Penny Haw. Connect with Joyce ...

Lea Geller dishes on the inspiration behind her latest romp of a novel, The Truth and Other Hidden Things, about Bells Walker, an “older” pregnant woman in her forties who inadvertently becomes a gossip columnist in her new town in the Hudson Valley. Find The Truth and Other Hidden Things on bookshop.org as well as the books Lea recommends; S unshine Girl by Julianna Margulies, Brat by Andrew McCa...

Joanne Kukanza Easley chats about the inspiration behind her debut novel, Sweet Jane , which swept up awards, winning 12 in total! The episode starts with an interview I recorded with Joanne last year, and then I invite her back to update us on her latest release, Just One Look. Find both of Joanne's novels Sweet Jane , and Just One Look on bookshop.org. Connect with Joanne and learn more about he...

Grace Sammon chats about her debut novel, The Eves , a study on the power of women’s friendship and how the stories we carry affect those around us. Grace shares her inspiration, book recommendations, and a sneak peek at her fun upcoming project! Find The Eves on bookshop.org as well as the novels Grace Sammon recommends; The Exit Strategy by Lainey Cameron and The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek...

Margaret Ann Spence talks about her latest release, JOYOUS LIES, a women’s fiction novel with a good dose of mystery. Secrets from the past abound, set to the backdrop of what happened decades ago in a Northern California commune. Find Joyous Lies on bookshop.org as well as the novels Margaret Ann recommends; Queen of the Owls by Barbara Linn Probst and The Ones We Choose by Julie Clark. Connect w...

Jessica Strawser talks about her latest release, A Million Reasons Why , which was named a most anticipated book by Goodreads, SheReads. E! News. and Frolic as well as being chosen for Booktrib's 10 Books by Women to Read this Spring. Find A Million Reasons Why on bookshop.org as well as the top novel she recommends; The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley. Connect with Jessica and...

Bette Lee Crosby writes Southern fiction that touches the heart. Lainey and Bette chat about how you can be guaranteed a happy ending in her books, writing advice and the real-life family inspiration for Bette's latest novel, When I Last Saw You . Find When I Last Saw You on bookshop.org as well as the novels she recommends; The Truth and Other Hidden Things by Lea Geller and The Words Between Us...

Carol chats with us about Goodbye Orchid, her novel which was inspired by combat wounded veterans. The book has been racking up awards. including being named a 2021 Book Excellence winner, and a finalist in the CHATELAINE Book Awards that recognizes outstanding work and new talent in Romantic Fiction and Women’s Fiction. Carol is donating a portion of the book's profits to the Heather Abbott...

Kathleen Basi shares her inspiration her debut novel, A Song for The Road, which began as a dream that contained both grief and beauty. And she chats about the special relationship between music and writing, which led to Kathleen writing such a novel with such breathtakingly lyrical language. Find A Song for the Road on bookshop.org as well as the books Kathleen recommends; The Rules of Arrangemen...

Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, chats about The Mountains Sing . This novel is already a New York Times Editors’ choice, and winner of several awards including the 2020 Lannan Literary Award Fellowship. Plus it’s been named a best book in 2020 by the Washington Post , *O, The Oprah Magazine, USA Today, NPR’s Book Concierge and tens more publications. Plus, it also happens to be her first novel, written in th...

Ann Garvin chast about her latest novel, I Thought You Said This Would Work, which shot up the Amazon charts and has held #1 positions in multiple categories over the last month including humorous women's fiction. Ann shares her inspiration for the novel, and great writing and life advice. I Thought You Said This Would Work and Ann's other novels can be found on bookshop.org, along with the two no...

Rochelle chats about her latest release, This is Not How It Ends, how writing every book is different, and she has great advice for writers, and on kindness and life in general. Find This is Not How it Ends on bookshop.org, along with the novels Rochelle mentions; Becoming Duchess Goldblatt, The Push by Ashley Audrain, Eliza Starts a Rumor by Jane L Rosen, and The Midnight Library by Matt Haig.  A...

Alison Hammer has been called "a great new voice in women’s fiction" by the esteemed Kristin Harmel. This interview celebrates the release of Alison's sophomore novel, Little Pieces of Me, which was named one of the top April books by E! News, and received a Library Journal starred review. We chat about Alison's unique writing process, her craft advice, and she has three recommended reads.  F...

Kris Clink chats about her heart-warming debut novel, Goodbye, Lark Lovejoy. She shares her inspiration for a book that reviews are deeply hopeful and heartwarming, and why Kris believes in the concept of spectacular happiness. Find Goodbye, Lark Lovejoy on bookshop.org, along with the two books Kris recommends; The Jake Ryan Complex by Bethany Crandell and The Chicken Sisters by KJ Dell'Antonia.&...

Have you ever wondered what goes into performing an audiobook? Or how the skills required compare to writing? In this interview with Susan Marlowe, who has recorded over 150 successful audiobooks, answers those questions and more. Plus, the episode includes previously unreleased samples from the audio version of Lainey Cameron's debut novel, The Exit Strategy . Purchase The Exit Strategy in audiob...

Barbara Linn Probst shares the inspiration behind her newest novel, The Sound Between the Notes, plus chats with Lainey about music and inspiration, how the book changed during editing, surviving a pandemic debut launch, and the challenges of sophomore novels.  Find The Sound Between the Notes and Queen of the Owls on bookshop.org, plus the two other sophomore novels Barbara mentions Little P...

Christina Consolino shares her inspiration for her debut, Rewrite the Stars , a novel that’s been called “bittersweet” and “touching”. She also has several recommended reads, great writing advice on not giving up, and we chat about the difficulty of writing in multiple points of view. Find Rewrite the Stars on bookshop.org. Connect with Christina and learn more about her books at www.christinacons...

Linda chats about the story behind The Disharmony of Silence , her debut novel which released in 2020. We talk about the inspiration behind a book that moves back and forth between the 1920s and today, how the book changed from initial versions and her reading recommendations. Plus I share more on Linda's second novel, Sisters of the Vine , which releases this week! Find both of Linda's novels, Th...

Kathleen’s debut, Minor Dramas and Other Catastrophes, was received with great acclaim in 2020 and was chosen as a best books pick by Real Simple, Newsweek, People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, and the New York Post. This week her second novel Are We There Yet? hits the stores, and Kathleen shares her inspiration, book recommendations and has some great writing advice! Find Kathleen's novels, Ar...