Madeline Martin is a USA Today bestselling author who writes historical fiction and historical romance, usually set anywhere between the 14th century and the Regency period.

Her romance is full of adventurous twists and turns, empowered heroines and men who are strong enough to love them. But with her latest book, The Last Bookshop in London, she's taken a new path into World War II Europe.

Hi there, I'm your host, Jenny Wheeler and in today's Binge Reading episode Madeline talks about the transformative power of books in hard times, what her World War II research threw up in terms of detailed gems about daily life during the Blitz, and the parallels between living in dark times – whether it be 20th century Blitz or 21st century pandemic.

Binge Reading on Patreon

Binge Reading on Patreon from June 1

But before we get to Madeline, I've got some exciting news to share. I've been doing these author interviews weekly since September 2017, and there are currently 170 fabulous binge reading interviews with top authors available online.

From next month, June 1, we're expanding the show to give listeners who love what we do an opportunity to subscribe to Binge Reading on Patreon in return for extra monthly bonus content and a wealth of other benefits we are still planning and thinking about. Joining Patreon will allow you to find even more great books you won't want to put down.

As well as getting to know your favorite authors better, you'll also help us provide more features that bookaholics love. For the cost of a cup of coffee a month, you'll get access to new features like “getting to know you” quick-fire author questions, exclusive to Patreon.

I've already started recording these five spontaneous questions with authors who are happy to take part, and they give fresh and funny insights into our guests.

If you want to find out more about Binge Reading on Patreon, head to The Joys of Binge Reading home page, and you'll find lots more there.

Introducing author Madeline Martin

Six things you’ll learn from this Joys of Binge Reading episode:

How being a 'military brat' encouraged her as a readerMadeline's amazing capacity to turn out booksWhy World War II is a favorite time periodGoats do wear pyjamas - yay!How this latest book is a new directionHow different time periods align

Where to find Madeline Martin: 

Website: https://www.madelinemartin.com/

Facebook: @MadelineMartinAuthor

 Twitter: @MadelineMMartin

Instagram: @MadelineMMartin

Pinterest: @MadelineMartin9

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/madeline-martin

What follows is a "near as" transcript of our conversation, not word for word but pretty close to it, with links to important mentions.

But now, here’s Madeline.

Jenny Wheeler: Hello there Madeline, and welcome to the show. It's great to have you with us.

Madeline Martin historical fiction author

Madeline Martin: Hello, thank you so much for having me. I'm so excited to be on The Joys of Binge Reading. What a great name for a show.

New book, new direction

Jenny Wheeler: Thank you so much. This book we're going to be particularly discussing is your first historical fiction in this type of fiction.

You have done romances but The Last Bookshop in London is very much about, not exactly binge reading, but the importance of people being able to escape into other worlds that are created by authors, and also the fate of London bookshops during the Blitz.

Those are the two keystones of the story: the fate of the bookshops, plus the joy of being able to escape into fiction. Which one of those was the first thing when you were working on this book, when you first came to it?

Madeline Martin: It was the survivability of bookshops despite the Blitz going on in London, and also how community is built around books and how books can help get us through dark times. That was the focus of it. I wanted The Last Bookshop in London to be a celebration ...