Friends & Fiction

The Fab Five continues the Women's History Month celebration with TWO fabulous author guests. Join in as we welcome Jennifer Robson, international bestselling author of six novels set during and after the two world wars, including THE GOWN, and her brand-new release OUR DARKEST NIGHT. Jennifer is joined by Ariel Lawhon, the critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author of four novels inc...

Mary Kay Andrews and Kristin Harmel interview Ireland-based award-winning thriller writer Tana French about her latest, THE SEARCHER, and her long career writing spine-tingling page-turners. https://www.tanafrench.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for...

The Fab Five host award-winning author of four novels Sadeqa Johnson for a Women's Hostory Month Sunday Bonus Episode! A former book publicist, Sadeqa spent several years working with well-known authors such as JK Rowling, Bebe Moore Campbell, Amy Tan and Bishop TD Jakes before becoming a debut author in 2013 with Love in a Carry-on Bag. Her latest novel YELLOW WIFE is a work of historical fiction...

Patti Callahan Henry interviews two longtime publishing industry pros—Carol Fitzgerald of The Book Report Network & Robin Kall of Reading with Robin. Listen in on what it takes to build up an active community of book lovers. https://www.bookreporter.com/. https://www.robinkall.com/reading-with-robin.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. S...

Set sail with the Fab Five as they christen Patti Callahan's new historical novel Surviving Savannah. This launch party has it all—dramatic readings, suspenseful reeanctments, special guests, and loads of laughs. Hear Patti talk all about crafting her dual timeline, her extensive research into the 1838 sinking of the real-life Steamship Pulaski, and the rich history of Savannah. https://www.pattic...

New York Times and internationally bestselling master of suspense, Lisa Unger, joins the Fab Five to discuss her latest gripping, intricately plotted thriller, CONFESSIONS ON THE 7:45. Hear about her background working in book publishing, her techniques for plotting and ratcheting up the tension for her characters, and how she came up with the real-life ideas for CONFESSIONS.  https://lisaunger.co...

The Fab Five welcome internationally bestselling author of historical women's fiction, Julia Kelly, whose books have been translated into 11 languages and who also writes historical and contemporary romance under the name Julia Blake. In addition to writing, she’s been an Emmy-nominated producer, journalist, marketing professional, and (for one summer) a tea waitress. Julia called Los Angeles, Iow...

The Fab Five were so happy to welcome back their good friend, mega-bestselling author Kristin Hannah. She jpined us to talk about her brand new instant #1 New York Times bestselling novel THE FOUR WINDS, as well as the #1 Netflix adaptation of her book FIREFLY LANE. We've sure come a long way since we had Kristin on the show as our first-ever guest back in April. And now she's got lots to talk to...

Kristin Harmel and Patti Callahan Henry discuss Books about Books with author Katherine Reay and her novel The Printed Letter Bookshop, and author Janet Skeslien Charles’ upcoming novel The Paris Bookshop. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New York Times bestselling author and master of the rom-com, Susan Eizabeth Phillips, joins the Fab Five for a raucous Valentine's Day themed episode. Come along for a wild ride as these six ladies play "Literary Spin the Bottle," a game made up by Mary Kay Andrews. Each author answers rapid-fire questions about their first literary crush, favorite couple from each author's own books, first romanc...

Mary Kay Andrews and Mary Alice Monroe interview New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict about her new historical novel, The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, an exploration of Agatha Christie's mysterious 11-day disappearance in 1926. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of...

Bestselling novelist Ann Napolitano joins the Fab Five to discuss her phenomenal instant New York Times bestseller DEAR EDWARD, just released in paperback this week. They discuss Ann's extensive research process, how writing has been a real escape during the pandemic, her experince teaching fiction writing, and her love of independent bookstores—particularly the one she chose as our featured books...

Patti Callahan Henry and Kristin Harmel talk about Modern Takes on Literary Classics with Michael Farris Smith about his novel, NICK, about Nick Carraway from The Great Gatsby, and Rachel Hawkins about her novel The Wife Upstairs, a modern retelling of Jane Eyre.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information abou...

Poet and bestselling novelist Marisa de los Santos joins the Fab Five to talk about about her latest novel I'D GIVE ANYTHING, as well as her writing process and the cross section of poetry and novels, the powerful women who have influenced her life, and her collaborative relationship with her writer husband David Teague. https://www.harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/marisa-de-los-santos See omnystud...

Join the Fab Five for this Soecial Sunday Bonus episode in which they continue their conversation about debut novels by welcoming two more first-time authors. Meet Susan Zurenda whose BELLS FOR ELI will hit shelves on March 5, 2021; and Alison Hammer whose first novel YOU AND ME AND US came out April 2020. Both women had full careers in other fields before getting a publishing deal and they discus...

The Fab Five have an in-depth chat about debut novels, discussing their own debuts and how they got their start. They welcome three debut novelists tp join the fun, all with Winter 2021 debuts that are getting loads of nice buzz. Meet Nancy Johnson, author of THE KINDEST LIE (Feb 2, 2021); Sarah Penner, author of THE LOST APOTHECARY (March 2, 2021); and Pamela Terry, author of THE SWEET TASTE OF M...

Bestselling, award-winning author William Kent Krueger joins the Fab Five to talk about his novel THIS TENDER LAND. They each discuss their rituals after handing in a manscript, the influences of Huck Finn and The Odyssey on Kent's latest work, and how his study of childhood resiliency has informed his writing. https://williamkentkrueger.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Ho...

New York Times, USA Today and London Times bestselling author of 27 novels, Diane Chamberlain, joins the Fab Five to talk about her latest novel, BIG LIES IN A SMALL TOWN, just out in paperback. Listen in as they discuss dream first travel destinations for after the pandemic and their latest favorite reads, as well as Diane’s background as a psychoanalyst and passion for social justice issues—and...

Author of Don't Overthink It, Anne Bogel—better known as the blogger "Modern Mrs. Darcy" and the orce behind the podcast What Should I Read Next—joins the Fab Five to round out the year. They discuss what we're keeping and leaving behind for the new year, what makes a truly exceptional read, and the best books of 2020. https://modernmrsdarcy.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

Do your ugliest Christmas sweater, pour a festive beverage, and join the Fab Five for their first annual holiday office party. They discuss ther picks for best and worst in Christmas music and movies and their all-time favorite Christmas books. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and...

Mary Kay Andrews and Kristin Harmel sit down with two incredible independent booksellers. They talked to Tim Ehrenberg of Nantucket Book Partners in Nantucket, MA, and to Laura Taylor of Oxford Exchange in Tampa, FL. Hear all about their stores, the creative ways they are finding to not just survive but thrive during the pandemic, the importance of shopping local, and their desert island reads. Se...

#1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa See joins the Fab Five to talk about her latest book, The Island of Sea Women. Listen in as she talks about being part Chinese and growing up fully immersed in Chinese culture, but somehow feeling like an outsider in both white and Chinese cultures—a theme that has found its way into most of her books. https://www.lisasee.com See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Susan Mallery, #1 NYT bestselling author of more than 150 novels and 16 Chritmas novels, joins the Fab Five to talk about her prolific career, the art of writing a great Christmas book, and faovrite Christmas books. https://susanmallery.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use...

The Fab Five sit down with Golden Globe award winning actress Andie MacDowell and writer/producer Tood Komarnicki to discuss adapting stories for the big and small screen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Award winning #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 60 novels, Robyn Carr joins the Fab Five to talk about her career and the latest installment in her Virgin River series, which has been adapted as a Netflix Original Series. https://www.robyncarr.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about...