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In today’s episode, I am chatting with Jacqui Lents. Jacqui was born and raised in her beloved Michigan, where her life has meandered more like a lazy river than a high-speed expressway. Before settling into her career as a high school social studies etacher, she dabbled in at least fifteen different jobs—some more unusual than others. When she is not revinventing herself, Jacqui can be found throwing axes (responsibly), attempting to conquer her TBR pile, swimming in her loch, or hanging out with her husband of over twenty years, who has yet to flee despite her ever-evolving hobbies. Jacqui is the host of the award-winning podcast, Jacqui Just Chatters and we are here to tday to talk about her debut novel, The Daphne Project.

This is Jacqui’s first appearance on Bookish Flights as a published author (yay!), and we dive deep into the themes that inspired her book. We talk about what it means to become "vintage," embracing imperfections, personal growth, and the hard but transformative process of rediscovering your identity.

Episode Highlights:

• Jacqui’s journey from educator to author.
• What inspired The Daphne Project.
• The beauty (and humor) in becoming “vintage.”
• Reinvention and identity in midlife.
• Why real stories about real people matter.
• How teaching shaped her writing voice.

📚 Whether you're feeling a little vintage yourself or just love a good story about transformation, this episode is for you.

Connect with Jacqui Lents:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Little Women by Louisa Mae Alcott
• Stalking Around the Christmas Tree by Jacqueline Frost
• Beachbum Bookworm Booktube channel
• The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Book Flight

• Happy Place by Emily Henry
• The Christmas Tree Farm series by Jacqueline Frost
• The Magic Ship by Sandra Perretti

Dessert Pairing

• Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

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In today’s episode, I am chatting with Mariah Dawn. Mariah is the author of Dragon in You. Mariah is an author, EMT and mom living in sunny San Diego, where ‘Yay’ is her favorite word and a reflection of her positive outlook on life. Her book is a memoir of the first 32 years of her journey through love, loss and the rediscovery of faith. 

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of domestic violence and the death of a spouse.

Mariah shares how writing her memoir became a healing process—how she initially dissociated from her story as a protective mechanism, but through putting words on the page, she was able to reclaim her truth and ground herself once again. Her story is one of fierce resilience, courage, and deep hope. It reminds us that our stories matter—and that even in our darkest moments, we can find light.

Episode Highlights:

• What it was like to write such a vulnerable and personal book
• Her experiences navigating domestic violence and her advice for others in similar situations
• Grief, motherhood, and the strength to keep going
• How faith and storytelling helped her reconnect with herself

Connect with Mariah Dawn:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

• Healing Your Lost Inner Child by Robert Jackman

Book Flight

• No Visible Bruises: What We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us by Rachel Louise Snyder
• The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals by Gavin De Becker
• Building a Non-Anxious Life by John Delony

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

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In today’s episode, I am chatting with Karen Nelson. Karen is the author of The Sunken Town and the co-founder of the nonprofit Writing by Writers. During her long career in nonprofits she has protected open space, funded cancer research, trained people to complete endurance events, and helped writers bring their work into the world. When not organizing writing workshops, she can be found hiking with her dog, reading, traveling, experimenting in the kitchen, and hosting dinner parties. She writes for various publications and is at work on her next novel.

Episode Highlights:

• How Karen started Writing by Writers and the services they provide to support writers.
• Her passion for cooking and hosting monthly dinner parties as a creative outlet.
• The writing journey behind The Sunken Town and the years it took to complete.
• How she decides which books to read in print versus on audio.
• Her book flight featuring suspenseful literary novels set in academia.

Connect with Karen Nelson:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

• Cynthia Newberry Martin on Reading and Belonging (to Something Bigger) (Ep. 29)
• Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
• I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai
• Cowboys are My Weakness by Pam Houston
• Colored Television by Danzy Senna

Book Flight

• The Secret History by Donna Tartt
• The Lake of Dead Languages by Carol Goodman
• Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

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• Website

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In today’s episode, I am chatting with Clémence Michallon. Clémence is an author and a journalist. Her debut thriller The Quiet Tenant was published in June 2023 and is an international bestseller. Blumhouse TV has acquired the adaptation rights. Her next thriller, Our Last Resort, came out yesterday. She was a staff writer at The Independent for five years, and is now a freelance journalist. 

Clémence was such a delight to interview. She talks about including a bit of herself in her characters including studying Latin and Roman civilizations and how it shows up in her novels. She chatted about how marathon running and writing went hand in hand, by teaching her patience. 

Episode Highlights:

• The spark behind Our Last Resort and what she learned while writing it.
• How studying Latin and Roman civilizations shows up in her character development.
• Why a touch of naïveté is necessary to begin any creative work.
• The surprising connection between marathon running and writing—and how it taught her patience.
• How giving a character a trait she shares opens a door into their psyche.
• Why patience is the most underrated but essential tool in a writer’s life.
• A behind-the-scenes peek at the upcoming adaptation of The Quiet Tenant.

Connect with Clémence Michallon:

• Instagram
• Website

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

• The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay
• Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll
• Agatha Christie books
• The Fever by Megan Abbott
• Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson
• Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

Book Flight

• The Girls by Emma Cline
• Talking to the Dead by Helen Dunmore
• My Brother by Karin Smirnoff

Dessert Pairing

• Piglet by Lottie Hazell

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

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In today’s episode, I am chatting with KyLee Woodley. KyLee teaches preschool at a lab school in Texas where she lives with her husband of 18 years and their three teenage children. Having been raised in the Pacific Northwest and spent part of her adult life in Texas, she has a deep respect for American values. She grew up in an impoverished area and began ministering to homeless, drug addicted, and desperate people while in her teens. As a result, she feels a deep sense of concern for society’s unloved. This comes through in her stories, enriched with historical detail that shows how loving the unlovely is a timeless need. 

Episode Highlights:

• KyLee’s inspiration behind the Outlaw Hearts series and her newest book, The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender.
• Balancing writing with being a preschool teacher and mom of three.
• Recognizing burnout and learning to ask for help.
• How reading excellent books sharpens her writing.
• Her book flight features historical romance series.
• Behind the scenes of cohosting the Historical Bookworm Show.

Connect with KyLee:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

Show Notes

Some links are affiliate links, which are no extra cost to you but do help to support the show.

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

• Jodie Hedlund’s books
• Tamara Lee’s books
• Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep
• The Curator’s Daughter by Melanie Dobson
• Whispers of Fortune by Mary Connealy

Book Flight

• A Noble Scheme by Roseanna M. White
• Of Gold and Shadows by Michelle Griep
• To Kiss a Knight by Grace Hitchcock

Dessert Pairing

• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

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• Website

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In today’s episode, I’m joined by Lisa Vailencour, founder of The Handbook Club and a seasoned brand & communications strategist with over 20 years in the tech industry. Her debut book, The Mom Handbook, was written as a love letter to her daughters and to anyone navigating the complexities of motherhood and identity. We talk about how movement fuels her creativity, the emotional release that came with publishing her book, and her unique editing process using voice memos to capture rhythm and pacing before putting words to the page.

Episode Highlights:

• How physical activity helps her tap into creativity.
• The emotional freedom of sharing hard-earned lessons through writing.
• Embracing imperfection and simply doing your best.
• The challenge and importance of reconciliation and rebuilding trust.
• Using voice memos as a tool to shape narrative flow.

Connect with Lisa Vailencour:

• TikTok
• Website
• LinkedIn

Show Notes

Some links are affiliate links, which are no extra cost to you but do help to support the show.

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

• Daniel H. Pink books
• Crucial Conversations by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler and Emily Gregory
• A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst by Robert Sapolsky
• The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County by Claire Swinarski

Book Flight

• The Babysitter’s Club by Ann M. Martin
• East of Eden by John Steinbeck
• How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

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In today’s episode, I am chatting with Sara Brunvsold. Sara is Christy Award-winning author of The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip and The Divine Proverb of Streusel. She creates stories that boldly engage contemporary issues through the lens of hope and unshakable faith. Her passion is to connect with readers first through books, then through meaningful conversation. Today we are hear to discuss her latest novel, The Atlas of Untold Stories. What a joy it was to have her back on the show, you can listen to her previously on Ep. 61! Sara’s books are truly food for the soul, and today’s conversation is no exception.

Episode Highlights:

• The inspiration behind The Atlas of Untold Stories and the real-life road trip possibilities.
• Why she gravitates toward writing older characters.
• How growing up in an intergenerational household shaped her storytelling.
• Her love for author events and connecting with readers in real life.
• Her thoughtfully curated book flight for this episode:
  • An American classic, a road trip novel and a story centered on a mother-daughter relationship.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to Sara’s work, this conversation will leave you inspired and encouraged. Tune in for a heartwarming look at storytelling, legacy, and the untold stories that shape our lives.

Connect with Sara Brunvold:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
• The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
• Tramp for the Lord by Corrie ten Boom
• My Antonia by Willa Cather
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
• Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See

Book Flight

• The Memory Library by Kate Storey
• The Road Before Us by Janine Rosche
• O Pioneers by Willa Cather

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

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• Facebook
• Website

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In today’s episode, I’m delighted to be joined by Courtney Walsh, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of heartwarming, low-spice romance and contemporary women’s fiction. A Carol Award winner and Christy Award finalist, Courtney is a storyteller devoted to crafting light-hearted yet poignant, character-driven novels that offer a safe and joyful escape.

We’re here to talk about her newest novel, Everything’s Coming Up Rosie, but as always, our conversation touches much deeper themes—life, creativity and how we show up for the people and passions that matter most.

Courtney shares what she’s learned through writing: about staying present in the story, parenting through different seasons and redefining priorities as life evolves. We talk about saying no with confidence, the comfort of rom-coms over thrillers and the kind of books that soothe rather than stir anxiety. Her goal? To be the writer readers turn to in their heaviest seasons—for warmth, laughter and a little bit of swoon.

Episode Highlights:

• Why setting boundaries is essential to honoring your priorities.
• The comfort of reading books that don’t trigger your anxiety.
• The evolution of priorities through the stages of life and motherhood.
• Writing older characters as a way to bring wisdom into fiction.
• The value of writing joyful stories in a heavy world.

Connect with Courtney:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

• The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh (mentioned in Ep. 95 with Amanda Cox)
• Cross Country Christmas by Courtney Walsh
• Alex - The Life of a Child by Frank DeFord
• Rocky Road by Becky Wade

Book Flight

• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
• Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz
• The Good Part by Sophie Cousens

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

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This episode marks the latest gathering of our BFF Book Club. This month, we’re discussing The Dressmakers of London with the author, Julia Kelly. Julia is the international bestselling author of emotional historical fiction about extraordinary women and intriguing historical whodunnit mystery novels. In addition to writing, she’s been an Emmy-nominated producer, journalist, marketing professional, and  a tea waitress. Julia called LA, IA and NYC home before settling in London with her husband.

Highlights:

• A meaningful literary gift idea Julia’s mom gives every year.
• Revisiting the classics and why she recommends I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith to aspiring writers.
• The joys and challenges of writing emotional historical fiction.
• Behind-the-scenes insight into the women’s auxiliary branches during WWII and the realities of clothing rationing.

📚 Next BFF Book Club - Meet the Author
🗓️ Sept. 28th | 🕓 4 pm PST

We’re thrilled to welcome Emerson Ford, author of What the Silent Say! Inspired by a remarkable true story and brought to life with cinematic detail, this unforgettable WWII novel explores courage, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bonds of family. Set in the Pacific, it follows the journey of two brothers on the frontlines and the family waiting for them back home. 👉 Register Here.

Connect with Julia:

• Instagram
• Website
• Julia’s books

Books mentioned:

• The Light Over London by Julia Kelly
• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
• The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
• Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
• New Grub Street by George Gissing
• The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope
• Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
• Dracula by Bram Stoker
• The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher

Book Flight

• I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
• Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Support the show

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In today’s episode, I’m joined by author Phyllis Gobbell, who brings a rich blend of literary insight and Southern storytelling charm. A retired college English professor, Phyllis has written across genres—from gripping true crime (An Unfinished Canvas, A Season of Darkness) to immersive mystery fiction. Her latest novel, Prodigal, released in November 2024, is a contemporary retelling of the biblical parable The Prodigal Son. Set in a small Southern town much like the one she grew up in, Prodigal explores themes of homecoming, community and forgiveness—not only of others, but of oneself. Phyllis speaks about the importance of place as a character and how community shapes story. We also discuss her book flight—stories that inspired Prodigal—and how her background in true crime shaped her fiction writing in unexpected ways.

Episode Highlights:

• What compelled her to write Prodigal.
• The small-town dynamics that breathe life into the novel.
• How “place” can become its own character.
• The emotional complexity of forgiveness and redemption.
• A book flight inspired by Prodigal’s themes and tone.

Connect with Phyllis:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Website

Show Notes

Some links are affiliate links, which are no extra cost to you but do help to support the show.

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

• Agatha Christie books
• The River We Remember by William Kent Kreuger
• This Tender Land by William Kent Kreuger
• The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
• The Gray Wolf  by Louise Penny

Book Flight

• Ordinary Grace by William Kent Kreuger
• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
• An Unfinished Love Story by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Dessert Pairing

• Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website