The Best of Women’s Fiction - Episodes
Looking for the best women’s fiction? The podcast publishes short interviews with bestselling and debut women’s fiction authors. Hosted by Lainey Cameron and Ashley Hasty
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Episode 139: Kelly Irvin, award-winning author of The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos
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 of two sisters striving to find a new balance in work, family, and love when one receives a diagnosis that sets the clock ticking.
Episode 138: Bestselling author, Emily Bleeker
Bestselling author Emily Bleeker, with six novels under her belt, is a two-time Whitney Award finalist, Wall Street Journal bestseller, Amazon charts topper, and a recent addition to the prestigious list of the top 100 Kindle authors "of all time."
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 history, explores family secrets, devastating choices, and hope for the future.
Episode 137: New York Times bestselling author, Katherine Howe
Katherine Howe is a New York Times bestselling and award-winning historian and novelist, delves into the riveting world of piracy and maritime history in her latest novel, A True Account.
Drawing inspiration from her own genealogy, the book explores how women looked for their own freedom and independence then and now, weaving a narrative around her third great aunt, Hannah Augusta Masury Howe, who famously quelled a mutiny.
Episode 136: *Special Fall Episode* Hot New Releases!
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.
Episode 135: Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger, author of The Diplomat's Wife Series
Award-winning author Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger talks The Diplomat's Wife series. In this gripping World War 2 fiction, we follow the journey of Kitty Larsson, a U.S. senator's daughter whose life takes an unexpected turn when she marries an Austrian diplomat on the cusp of the Anschluss.
Episode 134: Jane Healey, Bestselling author of Historical Fiction
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 Drue Leyton.
Episode 133: *Special Fall Episode* Exciting 2023 Debuts!
In this special episode of our Fall/Winter season, we're showcasing six exciting women's fiction debuts. Each of our six authors shares insights about their novel, the inspiration behind it, and their best writing advice.
Episode 132: Mary Camarillo, award-winning author
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 by politics, protests, and soaring housing prices.
Episode 131: Vanessa Riley, Award-winning author of Historical Fiction
Vanessa Riley is an award-winning author of Island Queen, A Good Morning America Buzz Pick and was also named the 2023 Georgia Author of the Year Awards Literary Fiction Winner for Sister Mother Warrior.
Queen of Exiles is based on the life of an extraordinary Black woman from history: Haiti’s Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid, who escaped a coup in Haiti to establish her own royal court in Italy during the Regency era. There, she became a popular figure in European royal society.
Episode 130: Ann Marie Jackson, author of The Broken Hummingbird
Annie Marie Jackson's debut novel, The Broken Hummingbird was announced as a finalist in the 2023 International Book Awards for Women's Fiction.
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 her new country and her own heart.
Episode 130: *Special Episode* (June) Hot New Releases
In our last episode of this season, we feature four exciting new novels, all releases from our past guests.
We highlight new historical fiction from Erin Litteken and KD Allbaugh, set in Ukraine and rural Wisconsin. New contemporary fiction, in a poignant sister story from author, Jamie Beck, and a preview of an upcoming thriller from Maggie Giles, releasing in September.
Episode 129: Chanel Cleeton, New York Times Bestselling author of The Cuban Heiress
NYT and USA TODAY bestselling author Chanel Cleeton is the author 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.
Episode 128: *Special Episode* Women’s Fiction Day 2023
For Women's Fiction Day, 2023, a discussion that tackles the difficult questions and future of 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 make sense? Plus, don’t miss our giveaway from the podcast for Women’s Fiction Day.
Our panel discusses where they see the women’s fiction label going forward and why an author may (or may not) wish to position their writing within the women’s fiction genre
Episode 127: Micki Berthelot Morency, author of Island Sisters
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.
Episode 126: Diane Marie Brown, author of Black Candle Women
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.” But we dive into what inspired Diane Marie Brown to write this particular story and how her own family history inspired the book.
Episode 125: *Special Episode* Hot New (May) Releases
Our second episode featuring Hot New Releases from our past guests. This time we’re highlighting new books that just 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.
Episode 124: Joani Elliott, STAR Award Winner & author of The Audacity of Sara Grayson
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”.
Episode 123: Shaunna J. Edwards & Alyson Richman, authors of The Thread Collectors
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. We discuss their enduring friendship, how they came to be co-writers, and what it was like to transition from friends to colleagues.
Episode 122: Debra Thomas, Award-winning author of Luz, and Josie and Vic
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...grounded in the deepest of grief" that shines "with hope, with compassion, with the reminder that connection and service offer us paths toward healing." (Gayle Brandeis).
Episode 121: Brenda Janowitz, author of The Audrey Hepburn Estate
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.