it's the best time of the year: summer means beach reads! Annabel Monaghan is out with her third romance book called "It's A Love Story." Monaghan is a USA Today bestselling author, and she joins the podcast this week. Her new book features Jane Jackson, a former teen star who was the punchline of every joke. As an adult she's a producer trying to get a project greenlight and tells a lie she has to make come true. And unfortunately, Jane has to rely on a guy she can't stand. Cue the love story! Monaghan chats about how Jennette McCurdy's memoir inspired her, she gives her own love advice after being married for nearly 30 years and has great advice for women who may be contemplating a big change in life. 

Calling all reality television fans! Arizona-based author Neely Tubati Alexander is out with a new book called "Courtroom Drama." This is Alexander's third rom-com and it features childhood best friends who were on the cusp of something more. Sadly an incident abruptly ended Sydney and Damon's relationship. They reunite years later when they were placed on the same jury and the woman on trial for murder is a reality TV star. Alexander talks to our host Whitney Clark about her favorite Bravo shows, how COVID-19 helped her become a published author, and why it's so important to include real-world issues in contemporary romance.

She's one of the most popular romance authors right now and Kennedy Ryan is out with the final installment of her Skyland series. Ryan is joining "Beyond the Next Chapter" this week to talk about "Can't Get Enough." Hendrix is the heroine of the story: a business owner, the life of the party, and an entrepreneur who also helps run a venture capital fund for Black women. Hendrix is taking care of an aging parent, and she's not sure if she has time for love, until Maverick Bell enters the picture. Ryan chats about her own mental-health journey and how it's reflected in her work. She also shares her own love story and how she met her husband of 27 years!

It's time to take a trip to Italy! On this episode, we're joined by Sarah Penner who is out with her new book "The Amalfi Curse." It's set in present-day Positano and in the 1800s. The novel features witches, sunken treasure, and forbidden love in a picturesque Italian village. This is Penner's third book following her debut "The Lost Apothecary" in 2021. One of the main characters is a nautical archeologist and in her research for the book, Penner actually got two online certifications on the subject. She chats with Whitney about that, her research trips to Italy, how she was able to quit her full time job, her adventures in scuba diving and why she thinks women need to sometimes be selfish in accomplishing their dreams.

She's a reader favorite, and now Jeneva Rose is out with her latest book "The Perfect Divorce." This is the sequel to "The Perfect Marriage," which was Rose's debut in 2020. It has sold more than 2 million copies! In the new book, we are once again in Sarah Morgan's world as she has started a new family 11 years after she defended her husband in a high-profile murder case. Rose talks to our host Whitney Clark about how she connects with readers on social media, what it's like being on a book tour as an expectant mom, and Rose also talks about her two other books being released this year! 

You've likely been reading Jennifer Weiner's books for years, and now she's out with a new novel called "The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits." The No. 1 New York Times bestseller is known for her hit novels including "In Her Shoes and "Good In Bed." Her newest book is set in two timelines. In the present day, no one knows why the Griffin sisters' band implodes after they rose to fame in the early 2000's. Jennifer talks to our host Whitney about pop culture, often complex sister relationships, and what research she had to do (including an interview with an American Idol star).

We are taking you to the Land of Oz! You may have seen the movie "Wicked," but before it was a movie, it was a hit Broadway musical. And before that, it was a book originally published in 1995. While the book and the movie are much different, the author of the book "Wicked," Gregory Maguire, is out with a new book called "Elphie." It's a prequel that dives into Ephaba's childhood. What happened to the Wicked Witch of the West before she gets to Shiz University? Whitney got to talk to Maguire about the new book, why he chose to write it now, and what it was like to visit the film set! 

Ahead of St. Patrick's Day, we're going beyond the next chapter and taking you to Ireland! We're joined this week by Valley teacher and author Jennifer Deibel. She's out with a new book called "Heart of the Glen." Jennifer teaches in the Valley and is passionate about reading and literacy. She also spent 10 years living in Ireland and Austria. She talks about how she became an author, what surprised her most about the publishing world, and what gives her hope while working in public education.

Calling all historical fiction fans! On this episode, our host Whitney Clark is joined by New York Times best-selling author Fiona Davis. She's out with a new book called "The Stolen Queen." This novel takes us from The Met to Egypt! It's a mix of glamour and mummies, mystery, and Davis describes it as a cross between  "Indiana Jones," "Thelma & Louise" and "The Devil Wears Prada." Davis talks about how she went from acting to writing, why it's so important to portray female friendships in her novels, and what research went into this book. It included a trip to Eygpt!

Do you need a hug? We all do sometimes! In honor of Valentine's Day, this week we are joined by two librarians from the Maricopa County Library District with their book recommendations: specifically books that feel like a hug! They offer a few titles that may give you some comfort, a sense of community, feel-good reads, cozy fantasy books and more. Here is the list: 

"Britt-Marie Was Here" by Fredrik Backman

The Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire

"Legends & Lattes" by Travis Baldree 

"This Is How You Lose the Time War" by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

"The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse" by Charlie Mackesy

"How to Stop Time" by Matt Haig