Her name is synonymous with crime fiction and Karin Slaughter is out with her new book "We Are All Guilty Here." Slaughter is a New York Times bestselling author who's sold more than 40 million copies of her books across the world. Some of her books have also been developed into popular TV series, including WILL TRENT. In her latest novel we're transported to the small, fictional town of North Falls. When two teenage girls vanish, it gets personal for Officer Emmy Clifton. Slaughter talks to our host Whitney Clark about why she thinks small towns are scarier than big cities, how she helps libraries across the country and her special connection to Phoenix! 

As kids get ready to head back to school, we're tackling the question: What books should you read to your kids? Whether they are turning 2 or 12 this school year, we brought in some experts with a great recommendation list! This episode we're joined by Terri Clark, the Arizona literacy director with Read On Arizona. Also joining the conversation is our host Whitney Clark's friend and co-anchor Kylee Cruz, who is raising a young reader herself! Tune in for some great titles, why you should let your kids picks the book they want to read, and proven strategies to get them interested in reading.

Suspense, folklore, and witchcraft: that's how Silvia Moreno-Garcia describes her newest book "The Bewitching." It's about three different women in three eras who all encounter dangerous witchcraft. Moreno-Garcia is the New York Times bestselling author of "Mexican Gothic." She's joining our host Whitney Clark to chat about how she was inspired by Mexican and New England folklore. Moreno-Garcia was also inspired by the stories told by her own family in Mexico. She talks about the playlist she created to accompany the book and how her experience as an RA in college is similar to one of the main characters. 

Buckle up for this book! It's hard to talk about "Finding Grace" without giving too much away, but if you read the first chapter you'll be hooked. That at least is the goal of British author Loretta Rothschild in her debut novel. She joins the podcast to talk about her new book, which features an improbable story that almost reads like a tense thriller. Rothschild talks about love and grief and how they're intertwined, which book she calls a perfect love story and why she took a risk by using a very unique narrator in "Finding Grace."

Summer is still here and it's the perfect time to pick up a new book! If you're heading out of town for a vacation, or maybe you just need a bit of an escape by the pool, we're talking about the books you should read this summer! We're joined by two librarians from the Mesa Public Library, Megan Guderian and Caroline Lewicki. A few of their choices include "My Friends" by Fredrik Bachman, "Summer Romance" by Annabel Monaghan, and "Freaks, Gleeks and Dawson's Creek" by Thea Glassman.

Jewel thieves, World War II, Paris, a decades-old murder, and a long-lost love story: that's what you'll find in Kristin Harmel's newest book "The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau." Harmel is a New York Times best-selling author known for her historical fiction novels. She talks about what inspired her latest book, and how her recent battle with breast cancer changed her outlook on life and aging. 

Thriller lovers, rejoice! Riley Sager is joining the podcast this week to talk about his latest book "With a Vengeance." He's a New York Times bestselling author known for his page-turning novels that always include unexpected twists. Sager's latest novel is set on a train. The main character, Anna Matheson, is seeking revenge after her family was killed years prior. She invites six people on the train who she believes was responsible for their deaths. Anna lures them onto an overnight trip under false pretenses...and so the thriller begins! Sager talks about which authors and movies have inspired him (including the classic "White Christmas"), his real-life phobias and fears, and how he writes a book a year. 

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!