Books are Chic

Happy April 1st! I was so thrilled to welcome Julia Bartz to Books are Chic! Her latest, The Last Session fulfilled my need for a cultish thriller that had me turning the pages. I am beyond fascinated by cults and Julia did the work. She researched multiple documentaries, books and podcasts about different types of cults, their leaders and their purpose. We talked about cults, the increase in the interest, thriller writing and lots more. If you are still reeling from Mother God (IYKYK) then you will love this chat!

Ok, dream guest alert- Jill Santopolo graced us with her presence on the pod this week. I was SO thrilled to chat with her as I just lived in the Santopolo-verse for the last two weeks. I was lucky enough to listen to The Light We Lost and the sequel, The Love We Found (back to back!!)- out now- and I miss that world already. Jill was such a delight. She talked about being a Reese's Book Club Pick, the inspo for the sequel (thanks to her sister!), celeb inspo, life, silver linings and her secret recipe for her emotionally charged and heart-filled books. I absolutely loved chatting with her! She would one hundred percent be my "if you could have coffee or a cocktail with" author! IYKYK. :)

NYT bestseller, Book of the Month selection, GMA pick AND fellow Bravo TV lover Katy Hays joins me on the podcast today! We are celebrating her latest, Saltwater- an italian beachside escape that is a blend of Sucession and White Lotus. She chatted her trip to Italy, inspo, toxic relationships, celeb bookclubs and so much more. We had the best chat and of course LOVED finding out she loved Bravo. Authors with the Bravo fun fact are my favorite discovery.

Always thrilled to welcome back my friend, Rochelle Weinstein, back to Books are Chic. Rochelle is the queen of character and her latest novel, We Are Made of Stars, is no exception. Her classic multi-layered cast with a dark thread woven through that has secrets, revelations and so much more- all set to a stunning backdrop of a beautiful and enchanting inn.

She and I caught up about her writing, latest news and so much more. She shared inspo for the story, the celebs she had in mind and what she is up to next! I love her so much and we are so lucky to live in a world with Rochelle's books!

2 episode drop this week! TGIF! I had the best time chatting all things romance with Cara Bastone this week and her latest novel, Promise Me Sunshine. This book was not only a romance but a course in silver linings and living life to the fullest. I loved chatting with Cara about her writing, inspiration for the book, her Audible originals and love for New York City. She is so much fun!

I was so thrilled to chat with debut author Sarah Harman, from across the pond, about her buzzy, chic debut mystery, All The Other Mothers Hate Me. Listen people, it was optioned by the team from The Bear for Disney+, it is THAT good. It gives mom drama, a missing child, pop girl group, unlikely friendships and twisty twist. Sarah was so much fun to chat with. We talked debut books, mysteries, motherhood, kids, crime coverage in the states vs Europe and so much more. Do yourself a favor and make this your spring break must read.

Fellow Chris Evans fan and reality tv lover, Amy Lea, joined me for her latest, Something Like Fate- a coming of age rom-com set on the beaches and cobblestones streets of Italy. I absolutely loved this book. Not only did it have so much joy and heart, it was filled with travels, family and fortune telling aunts. I loved chatting with Amy, so much so I want her to come back for a Bravo TV themed chat. We walked writing, romance, Chris Evans, inspiration and so much more.

I was so thrilled to welcome photographer Chandra Wicke to Books are Chic! Chandra is a romance reader and lover and took her vision of a beautiful, romance readers dream of a book and brought it to life. Say hello to The Happily Ever After Society. This book is a collection and celebration of romance authors, their books and the effect romance books have in our society. Featuring authors such as Julia Quinn, Christina Lauren, Ali Hazelwood, Adriana Herrera, Julie Soto and MORE, it truly is a book lovers portal into one of the best-selling genres.

BUT Chandra needs our help. This book will only be published if Chandra can meet her goal. This is fully being crowd sourced. Chandra's vision was without limitations and wants to continue this dream. This is such a special project from an incredible fellow reader and dreamer, let's support her and make this happen!

Reunited with two of my favorites, Elizabeth McCullough Keenan and Greg Wands to celebrate their latest, Trust Issues. I was so thrilled to chat with them again, way back in COVID we met via Zoom and it was fun from the start! Their latest thriller is full of twists, scams, cons and an unforgettable road trip that will have you guessing until the very last page. We caught up in life- new babies, a real life author rom com, real life inspo for the book, podcasts and so much more. They are a dream duo and I can't wait to see what is to come from them.

You're Fatally Invited..to this weeks episode of the podcast! I welcomed Ande Pliego to celebrate her new thriller by the opening line- You're Fatally Invited! A writers retreat gone awry with a murder of one of the authors in attendance. Yes, please. I am loving all these thrillers centered in the book world which is one of our topics for disussion. We talk Ande's writing inspiration, her writing start and so much more.