Louisa Treger talks about her latest historical novel, MADWOMAN, inspired by the true story of Nelly Bly, an investigative journalist who faked madness and got herself committed to an insane asylum in the late 1800s. Louisa talks about how her background as an orchestral performer helped her career as a writer, why she made the career transition, and how she first heard about Nelly Bly’s story.

Penny Haw talks about her debut historical novel, THE INVINCIBLE MISS CUST, inspired by the true story of Aleen Isabel Cust, Britain and Ireland's first female veterinary surgeon. Penny talks about her love of animals and how they inspire her writing, how she first heard about Aleen Cust’s story, and what it was in her own past that led her to write about a veterinary surgeon.

Erin Littenken talks about her debut novel, THE MEMORY KEEPER OF KYIV, a dual timeline story that follows Katya’s life beginning in the 1930s during the Holodomor, a man-made famine instigated by Stalin and 70 years later with Katya’s granddaughter facing her own struggles and learning of her grandmother’s past. Erin talks about the journey she took to becoming an author, the familial connection that inspired her to write about Ukraine, and what it was like to publish a book about Ukraine as they experience their current crisis with Russia.

Soraya Lane, bestselling author of historical and contemporary women’s fiction, introduces us to her new series, The Lost Daughters.

The Italian Daughter, first in the new series, is a dual timeline novel which takes the reader to Italy, both in 1946 and to a beautiful vineyard in present day.

Readers describe the novel as emotional, heart-breaking and “full of hope and love”.

Lynda Cohen Loigman talks about her latest novel, THE MATCHMAKER’S GIFT, a dual timeline story set between 1910 and the 1960s. She talks about the real-life stories that served as the initial spark of inspiration for the plot, how each of her novels, though under the umbrella of historical fiction, has its own personality, and how her daughter coming home from college in the midst of a pandemic sparked this story. In addition, she shares great advice for writers.

Catherine Adel West, author of The Two Lives of Sara, tells Ashley Hasty about what her research looked like, how she ended up writing this story, and her favorite books. Catherine also shares the best advice she has for aspiring authors.

Pamela Stockwell joins us to chat about her debut novel, which has been described as a heartfelt, touching, and delightful "slice-of-life story".

We selected Pamela for this benchmark episode, because she represents the best of what the women's fiction community can achieve when we uplift and support each other!

Listen to the episode to hear about her kidney donation story to a fellow writer.

Kerry Chaput shares how researching her husband’s family history inspired her to write DAUGHTER OF THE KING, which is about the protestant struggle in Catholic France in the 1600s and based on the real story of girls known as a daughter of the king who were taken from poverty, given money and protection and allowed to select their own husbands through an interview process if they would help populate the region of Canada.

Aimie K Runyan chats with Ashley about her latest novel, THE SCHOOL FOR GERMAN BRIDES. We chat about what her research looked like during the pandemic lockdown, a few of her favorite sources, and the inspiration behind the story. Aimie also shares the best advice she has for aspiring authors.

Heather Webb shares the real-life stories of people passing through Ellis Island, as well as the historical backdrop of the time, that inspired her latest novel THE NEXT SHIP HOME, which is about the unlikely friendship of a Sicilian immigrant and a matron that works at Ellis Island who does not like immigrants.

Denny S. Bryce shares what inspired the plot as well as the title of her latest novel, In the Face of the Sun, about “a road trip, changing the path of life, how racism, prejudice, and other factors impact African American lives in similar ways in 1928 as they did in 1968.”

In this episode Kimberly Brock tells us what caused her to cry during her research phase, when I asked her for her best advice for her fellow authors she gave the most accurate description of what it is like to be a writer that I’ve ever heard, and she gives a long list of her must-read, favorite books.

Kristy Woodson Harvey chats about how she 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 favorite reads.

Elise talks about her research trip to the Philippines in February of 2020, how this book ended up being perfect for the times, and how her next novel is very much in response to the pandemic. She also shares some of her favorite books and writing advice for her fellow authors.

Adele Myers, debut author of The Tobacco Wives, which New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis 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.”

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...”

Fiona Davis chats about The Magnolia Palace, an instant New York Times bestseller set at the Frick Mansion in New York City. The novel is written as a dual timeline, alternating between 1919 and the late 1960s. Fiona shares how this book differs from her previous novels, as well as book recommendations and her best writing advice.

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.

Joy Jordan-Lake, is the bestselling author of eight books. In our interview she shares the inspiration and background behind her latest historical novel, Under A Gilded Moon. This interview is a must for historical fiction lovers.

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 between two worlds after returning the Appalachian mountains.

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