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
List of all Episodes by Category
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Episode 99: Ali Brady, author of The Beach Trap
The Beach Trap has been hailed as “an enchanting, heartwarming story” (NYT bestseller Ali Hazelwood), and “the ultimate vacation read” (Colleen Oakley).
Author Ali Brady (aka Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey) join us to share how they co-wrote such a winning novel.
Episode 98: Kerry Chaput, author of Daughter of the King
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.
Episode 97: Laura Hankin, author of A Special Place for Women
Laura Hankin chats about A Special Place for Women. Just released on paperback, and already in TV development, the novel tells the story of a New York City club where only the most important women receive an invitation.
But one undercover reporter is about to infiltrate this female-run secret society and expose their secrets.
Episode 96: Aimie K. Runyan, author of The School for German Brides
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.
Episode 95: Marilyn Simon Rothstein, author of Crazy to Leave You
Marilyn Simon Rothstein, an author who is known for her sharp humor, introduces us to Crazy to Leave You. A novel which Booklist called a “fast-paced and entertaining story will appeal to those who like tales of women succeeding on their own terms.”
Episode 94: Heather Webb, USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of The Next Ship Home
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.
Episode 93: Veena Rao, author of Purple Lotus, winner 2021 American Fiction Awards
Veena Rao shares the inspiration behind her novel, Purple Lotus, the winner in the multi-cultural category of the 2021 American Fiction Awards.
A tale of an immigrant who comes to Atlanta through marriage, Purple Lotus has been described as a "dazzling tale of an Indian-American woman finding her way through the labyrinth of tradition to self-awareness in the modern world"
Episode 92: Denny S Bryce, author of In the Face of the Sun
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.”
Episode 91: Laura Drake, award-winning author of The Road to Me
Award-winning author, Laura Drake introduces us to her newest novel, The Road to Me, which has been described as “an unforgettable story of self-discovery and survival, reconciliation and redemption.” (bestselling author, Barbara Claypole White).
In the novel, Jacqueline Oliver gets a call about her hippie grandma, and drops everything to travel to Arizona. They end up on a unique and healing grandmother - granddaughter road trip.
Episode 90: Kimberly Brock, author of The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare
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.
Episode 89: Elissa Grossell Dickey, author of Speed of Light and Iris in the Dark
Elissa Grosell Dickey shares the inspiration behind The Speed of Light, a novel described as “a gripping page-turner, infused with a compassionate and insightful look at chronic illness.”
Elissa shares her real life experience that led to writing a character recently diagnosed with MS, and chats with Lainey about how they’d both like to see more chronic illness representation in women’s fiction protagonists.
Episode 88: Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Veil
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.
Episode 87: *Special Episode* Exciting 2022 Debuts!
A special episode featuring six exciting women’s fiction debuts from the first half of 2022!
Debut authors Maggie Giles, Melanie Mitzner, J. Marie Rundquist, Shauna Robinson, Lisa Roe, and Sandra L. Young tell us about their novels, their inspiration, and their best writing advice.
Episode 86: Elise Hooper, author of Angels of the Pacific
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.
Episode 85: Maggie Smith, author of Truth and Other Lies
Maggie Smith shares the inspiration behind her debut novel, Truth and Other Lies, which has been described as “twisty, timely, and rivetingly thought-provoking.”
The story brings together three women whose lives converge as one fights a devastating accusation, another campaigns for a contested seat in Congress, and one, a young reporter with ties to both, navigates the tricky line between secrets and lies.
Episode 84: Adele Myers, author of The Tobacco Wives
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.”
Episode 83: Lisa Barr, award-winning author of Woman on Fire
Award-winning author, Lisa Barr, shares the inspiration for her latest novel. Woman on Fire is the story of a young journalist who gets embroiled in a dangerous international art scandal centered around a Nazi looted masterpiece.
We chat about how Lisa found inspiration for a fabulous character like journalist Jules Roth. Plus why Lisa's focus on stolen art, and how some of the story draws from real life headlines. Also why she has been able to successfully cross genres, what she’s learned from that, and great writing advice.
Episode 82: Diana Giovinazzo, author of Antoinette’s Sister
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...”
Episode 81: Nikki May, author of Wahala
Nikki May joins from the UK to chat about her debut novel, Wahala, which was named a most anticipated book of 2022 by Vogue, Marie Claire, Glamour, Essence, and more. Wahala, which means trouble, follows three Anglo-Nigerian best friends living in London, and the lethally glamorous fourth woman who infiltrates their group.
Episode 80: Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Palace
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.