WJHG Chapter Chat

In this Chapter Chat episode, author Kerri Maher joins us to discuss her latest novel,  Summer of Love, a deeply layered story that doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. We talk candidly about the book’s themes of addiction and recovery, and Maher shares a raw, honest reflection on her own journey with sobriety, including the joy and the challenges that come wi...

Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie join the podcast to discuss A Founding Mother , their new historical fiction novel illuminating Abigail Adams’ lasting imprint on the United States as the wife of one president and the mother of another. With America’s 250th on the horizon, they explore why the Revolutionary era still resonates today, how they collaborate as co-authors to bring history t...

Best-selling author Mary Kay Andrews joins  Chapter Chat  to talk about her latest release,  Road Trip, a story rooted in sisterhood, self-discovery, and a setting that whisks readers away to Ireland. Andrews shares why she always makes her readers the same promise: you’ll be happy at the end, even when the journey gets messy. We also dig into how her...

Author Ashley Poston returns to  Chapter Chat for her second appearance. This time she talks about her latest release, The Someday Garden . Ashley shares her approach to magical realism and how she blends fantasy and contemporary elements to create stories that feel both grounded and wondrous. We dig into the novel’s powerful themes of grief, including how...

Nicola Harrison stops by  Chapter Chat  to unpack  The Island Club , from the strength of women supporting women to the discipline behind writing historical fiction. We cover her pivot from journalist to novelist, the questions that guide her research, and how she balances fact, feeling, and imagination on the page.

Author Sheila Roberts stops by  Chapter Chat to discuss her latest romance novel,  Love on the Shelf and to preview the Christmas novel she has coming out later this year. Sheila opens up about what it’s like having her holiday books adapted into movies, why she’s drawn to writing stories full of warmth and hope, and how her writing process takes a book from first s...

Chapter Chat  sits down with New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger to talk thrillers and the creative process behind them. Unger shares why she’s a writing “gardener,” letting stories evolve on the page instead of relying on detailed outlines, and how plot flows from character in her work. She also dives into the research that fuels her suspense, t...

Author Priya Parmar joins  Chapter Chat  to discuss her novel  The Original , and the enduring fascination with Katherine Hepburn. Parmar shares how she balances deep research with imaginative storytelling. Parmar blends real people, places, and details with fiction in a way that feels authentic without being constrained by the record. She also walks us through the meticul...

Kristy Woodson Harvey joins  Chapter Chat  to talk about her latest release,  Summer State of Mind and why “found family” remains one of her favorite themes to explore on the page. We also dig into the power of a “hook book,” the irresistible read that sparks a lifelong love of reading, and how Kristy approaches writing stories that pull readers in and keep t...

Corinne Sullivan joins  Chapter Chat  to talk about her latest thriller,  Yours Always , and the eight-year gap between her first and second novels. She shares what it’s like balancing writing with motherhood and her role as Senior News Editor at  Cosmopolitan , plus how the changing media landscape has shaped her career and her storytelling.

Author and former TV news producer Nikesha Elise Williams joins  Chapter Chat  to talk about her latest novel,  The Seven Daughters of Dupree. It's a layered family story where secrets don’t stay buried and generational trauma shapes what gets passed down. The Seven Daughters of Dupree touches on the resilience of Black women and the complicated love that holds families togeth...

Author Emily Carpenter joins Chapter Chat  to talk about her newest novel,  A Spell for Saints and Sinners , a Southern Gothic story set in Savannah, Georgia. We dig into her research process, how she builds characters and scenes, and the winding road that led her to becoming an author—ups, downs, and all.

In this episode of  Chapter Chat , Donna Jones Alward takes us aboard the Titanic through her novel  Ship of Dreams . From meticulous historical research to the overlooked realities of women’s lives at the time, we explore what the tragedy reveals about society, ambition, and the personal stories history can’t fully capture.

This week on Chapter Chat , author  Jennifer Moorman discusses her newest release, The Charmed Library . Together, we dive into the heart of magical realism, a genre where the extraordinary slips into the ordinary just enough to change what we notice, what we believe, and what we’re brave enough to imagine. Jennifer shares the inspiration behind The Charmed Library , what draws her to s...

Shelley Noble joins Chapter Chat to discuss her new novel, The Sisters of Book Row , and the enduring power of stories in a time when books and the people who write, share, and protect them are increasingly under pressure. We talk craft, creative curiosity, and how art (including writing) helps us make meaning, build empathy, and keep history from repeating itself. Noble also reflects on the real-...

Terah Shelton Harris joins  Chapter Chat  to talk about her new novel,  Where the Wildflowers Grow , and the kind of literary, character-driven storytelling that lingers long after the last page. We dig into fresh starts and second chances, and why the best books leave you knowing something you didn’t when you began. Harris also shares her journey from librarian to best-sellin...

In this episode of Chapter Chat , we explore the "Sophomore Shift" with author Karen Winn as she discusses the release of her highly anticipated second novel, The Society . Karen takes us inside her writing process, sharing how she navigated the unique challenges of following up a successful debut and the evolution of her craft. We dive deep into the world of elite social clubs and the toxic power...

In this episode of Chapter Chat, we sit down with debut author Angela Shupe to discuss the release of her first novel,  In the Light of the Sun . Angela takes us behind the scenes of her debut journey, sharing the highs and lows of becoming a published author and the pivotal role her faith played throughout the process. Beyond the technicalities of writing, Angela opens up about how she found...

This Chapter Chat episode helps you understand how reading to your child early on can make a huge difference in their success when they start school. It's all about giving your child the best possible start! We talk with the Early Learning Coalition about how important it is to read to children from a young age. We'll learn about simple things you can do at home to help your child get ready for ki...

Author Loretta Ellsworth gives listeners an inside look into the development of her latest novel, The Jilted Countess . It's the story of a Hungarian countess looking for an American husband and being bombarded with marriage proposals after World War II. Ellsworth is down to earth and insightful. This is a great listen for anyone interested in historical fiction or those who are interested in the...

As the year comes to a close, Chapter Chat host Jessica Foster is joined by avid reader and Bay County Public Library Foundation Executive Director Laura Roesch to reveal their top 5 books of the year. These are books you'll definitely want to add to your TBR list! Listen in and see if you agree with their choices. 

Best-selling author Madeline Martin joins the podcast to discuss her latest novel, The Secret Book Society . Martin discusses her detailed writing process and why she loves historical fiction. Liteners also get a preview of her next novel, which is a historical fiction novel set in dual timelines. 

You'll feel full of holiday cheer after listening to friends and co-authors Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb chat about their collaborations. The two have two beautifully written historical fiction holiday novels they've worked on together. This is a fun and festive conversation. 

It's the holiday season, and author RaeAnne Thayne shares the magic of writing novels set during December. In her latest release, Snow Kissed , Thayne explores relationships and connection. Thayne and host Jessica Foster talk about getting in the Christmas spirit, helping readers find joy and exploring your life's calling.   

In Brittany Penner's memoir, Children Like Us , she explores adoption and identity. As a Metis woman adopted into a Mennonite family, Penner opens up about her unique experience and the challenges she faced. This is a raw and vulnerable conversation focused on the layered aspects of adoption. Host Jessica Foster also has a unique perspective as an adoptive mother. In this conversation, Penner and...