If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to truly step away and sink into rest, this episode is for you. I’m taking you behind the scenes of my weekend in Middleburg, VA that felt equal parts grounding and magical—a reading retreat designed to help us slow down, reconnect, and simply be. So grateful for Mackenzie and @luxuryreadingretreats and creating this magical weekend for all of us.

From the time we spent at Middleburg Books to the wine tasting at Greenhill Winery....every curated moment was unforgettable.

If you’ve been craving rest, inspiration, or even just a reminder to carve out time for yourself, I hope this episode feels like a deep exhale—and maybe even the nudge you didn’t know you needed.

Retreat Details:https://luxuryreadingretreats.com/

My Book Stack from Middleburg Books:

The Postcard by Anne Berset

The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad

Strangers by Belle Burden

Grape Juice by Eliza Dumais

We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman

The Ferryman and His Wife by Frode Grytten

In this episode, I’m joined by debut author Linda Wilgus to talk about her beautiful new novel, The Sea Child. We chat about the inspiration behind the story, including her personal connection to the dramatic coastline of Cornwall and how that landscape helped shape the novel’s rich, atmospheric setting. Linda shares how adventure and romance weave through the story, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at her writing process—from carefully planning this first book to developing books two and three that are already in the works.

If you enjoy immersive settings, heartfelt storytelling, and hearing how a debut novel comes to life, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Website: https://www.lindawilgus.com/

IG: @lindajwilgus

Back with another fun "What I'm Loving" episode to share with you all the things I've been thinking about lately. The biggest thing on my mind is my reading retreat this weekend with @luxuryreadingretreats ! I am the luckiest girl to be included in this group of women to have time to relax, recharge, and connect. The line up of categories for the episode is below. Thanks for listening!

1. What I'm Loving

2. What I'm Watching

3. What I'm Reading

4. What I'm Cooking

5. What I'm Doing More Of

6. What I'm Buying

7. What I'm Looking Forward To

I’m so excited for you to hear this conversation with debut author Tiffany Crum! We sat down to talk about her brand-new novel This Story Might Save Your Life and her road to getting published—every high, every setback, and all the perseverance in between. She shares the heart behind the story, what kept her going when things got tough, and what it finally felt like to see her book out in the world.

This was one of those chats that felt like talking to an old friend—we laughed, we got real about the writing life, and I walked away feeling so inspired. I have a feeling you will too. And trust me, you’re going to want this book on your TBR!

February went by in a flash and thankfully, I finished some good notable books! In February, I finished 13 books: 11 were audiobooks and 2 were kindle. Out of those 13, 4 books were from Netgalley. Easily my favorite of the month was The Sound of Gravel. How was your month of reading? 

Favorites

The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner

The Sea Child by Linda Wilgus

Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict

Liked Them

So, I Met This Guy by Alexandra Potter

Destination Funeral by Paige Harbison

A Novel Crime by Deborah Levison

Blade by Wendy Walker

Just Okays

Clutch by Emily Nemens

Romantic Hero by Kirsty Greenwood

Definitely Maybe Not a Detective by Sarah Fox

You and Me and You and Me and You and Me by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees

Flops

Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein

When I Kill You by BA Paris

In this episode, I’m joined by Tracy Sierra, author of Nightwatching—one of my favorite books of 2024 and a Jimmy Fallon Book Club pick—to talk about what’s happened since her debut and the inspiration behind her gripping new novel, Warning Signs.

We catch up on Tracy’s life post-Nightwatching and dive into the tension-filled world of Warning Signs, a heart-stopping story set during a father-son backcountry ski weekend that goes terrifyingly wrong. We talk about survival, fear, complicated family dynamics, and how nature—and people—can both become incredibly dangerous when warning signs are ignored.

This was such a fascinating conversation about suspense, atmosphere, and writing stories that linger long after the last page. If you love dark, unsettling thrillers that get under your skin, this one’s for you.

Find Tracy on Tour: IG @tsierrauthor

Website: https://www.tracysierraauthor.com

Book Recommended by Tracy: Dead Weight by Hildur Knutsdottir

This week on the podcast, I’m chatting with Elisha Zepeda, a talented book cover designer whose work you’ve probably admired without even realizing it. We dive into the creative process behind designing a cover—from those first sparks of inspiration to the many behind-the-scenes steps it takes to get a book from concept to print. It was such a fascinating conversation about the art, strategy, and storytelling that go into a single cover, and you’ll never look at your bookshelf the same way again.

Go follow Elisha! @ez.bookdesign

https://www.elishazepeda.com/

In this episode, I’m joined by author Sara Maurer to talk about her debut novel, A Good Animal, and her journey to becoming a published author. We chat about what inspired the book, what it was like writing and publishing her first novel, and the rural farming community that shapes the story.

Set outside Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, A Good Animal explores first love, ambition, and the pull between staying and leaving—and how one choice can ripple through a community. Sara shares insight into the people, places, and experiences that influenced the novel, and it was such a joy getting to learn more about her background and creative process.

This was a thoughtful, grounded conversation about writing, place, and the quiet power of rural life—and I think you’ll really love it.

Website: https://www.saramaurerwrites.com/

IG: @saramaurerwrites

Back with another fun "What I'm Loving" episode to share with you all the things I've been thinking about lately. Personal battles, fun finds, real life struggles, and of course what I'm currently reading. The line up of categories is below. Thanks for listening!

1. What I'm Loving

2. What I'm Watching

3. What I'm Reading

4. What I'm Cooking

5. What I'm Doing More Of

6. What I'm Buying

7. What I'm Looking Forward To

This week on the podcast, I’m joined by instant New York Times bestselling author Catherine Newman! Her novel Sandwich was a standout sensation and we were all overjoyed to see the continuation of the story in her latest, Wreck. Catherine has been writing for many years, and it was such a joy to finally connect and talk all things craft—her signature authentic tone, the way she creates deeply human characters, and why relationships and their dynamics are always at the heart of her stories. This conversation felt like catching up with an old friend, and I loved hearing her reflections on writing, connection, and what keeps her inspired. I can’t wait to see what she does next—and I think you’re going to love this episode.

Website: https://www.catherinenewmanwriter.com/