Narratives & Nightcaps

A psychotherapist for 20 years, freelance writer, TV and radio presenter, internationally bestselling author of nonfiction, and now with her fiction debut -- Philippa Perry joins the show to chat about her cozy crime novel, SHRINK SOLVES MURDER. Connect with Philippa on Substack here: https://philippaperry.substack.com/And on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/askphilippa/Find more author interviews, book recommendations, and beverage pairings at https://www.narrativesandnightcaps.com/. Cheers!

A few recent reads to help you pick your next book! Don't worry it's spoiler-free, but here's what we're chatting about this episode:- My Friends by Fredrik Backman- Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan- A Pair of Aces by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christoper Murray- Real Americans by Rachel Kwong- Doomsdate by Laura Piper Lee- The Pools by E. LockhartConnect with us at narrativesandnightcaps.com! Cheers!

Must be 21+ | Please sip responsibly | Paid Partnership

As autumn settles in, the air turns crisp, and the days grow shorter, the excitement for spooky season begins to bubble up. Whether your vibe is cute fall romances, witches, or some straight scary reads, this episode has them all. And, we’re partnering with Phantom Wines to pair each book recommendation with a wine or wine cocktail. 

Phantom Wines sits at the intersection of the science and art of winemaking, a love of literature, and a sense of mystery. 

There’s the Phantom Proprietary Red, a BIG red that’s dark, alluring, and lingers after the last sip—which feels appropriate for an episode full of ghosts, demons, curses, secrets, and things that refuse to stay buried. Here are the books we’ve paired with the Red in this episode:

• Spoiled Milk by Avery Curran — gothic horror, obsession, and a mystery that keeps getting stranger

• The Witching Hour by Anne Rice — witches, family curses, supernatural history, and gothic atmosphere

• Happy Medium by Sarah Adler — ghosts, romance, and a little supernatural meddling

• The Outsider by Stephen King — murder, mystery, and the unsettling question of what exactly is lurking in the shadows

Then we have the Phantom Chardonnay, a balance of fresh fruit flavors and richer, creamier notes. It’s approachable while still layered, much like these fall books with something beneath the surface or whispers of the past that continue to haunt the present. Here are our book recommendations for the Chardonnay:

• The Possession of Alba Diaz by Isabel Cañas — haunted history, secrets, and gothic atmosphere

• Verity by Colleen Hoover — psychological suspense, dark secrets, and unreliable truths

• The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman — family magic, generational secrets, and the supernatural

• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab — immortality, longing, and a life lived beyond the ordinary

Visit https://phantomwine.com for more and their store locator https://phantomwine.com/srs-store-locator/. 

Head to https://narrativesandnightcaps.com for more books, pairings, and author interviews. 

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Jenny L. Howe is the author of romances for adults and teens -- HEA or HFN guaranteed! If cozy, cute, small-town romances are your fall reading vibes, then her newest YA romance needs to be at the top of your TBR this season. Jenny joins the show to talk about HOW (NOT) TO RENOVATE A HAUNTED HOUSE, spooky season favorites, books being mirrors and windows, and SO much more. Connect with Jenny at https://www.jennylhowe.com/ and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jennylhowe/. Follow her pen name, Lucy Helen Howell https://www.instagram.com/lucyhelenhowell/. Find more author interviews, book recommendations, and beverage pairings at https://www.narrativesandnightcaps.com/. Cheers!

J.T. Ellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty novels of psychological suspense. She’s also the Emmy-Award winning cohost of A Word on Words, the literary television series on PBS. In this episode of Narratives & Nightcaps, we explore her 20-year career and latest suspenseful domestic thriller – YOU KNOW WHY. Connect with J.T. on her website, subkstack, and social media:https://www.jtellison.com/home https://jtellison.substack.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thrillerchick/Find more author interviews, books, and beverage pairings at https://narrativesandnightcaps.com.

Fall reading brings us to a new book series! We're starting "The Shades of Magic" trilogy, starting with A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC by V.E. Schwab. Four Londons, one dangerously good story and cocktail to pair it with. Reminder -- spoilers ahead! This is our virtual book club chat, so proceed with caution if you haven't read it. Visit www.narrativesandnightcaps.com for more books, pairings, and author interviews. Cheers

In a small South Dakota town, an amateur detective goes missing, and when her best friends continue the investigation, loyalties are tested, secrets uncovered, and links to the town’s dark history are revealed. Joining us now on the Narratives & Nightcaps Podcast is author R.N. Swann to explore her debut thriller – IN CASE I GO MISSING. Connect with R.N. on her website and social media:https://www.rnswannbooks.com/https://www.instagram.com/rn_swann/Find more author interviews, books, and beverage pairings at https://narrativesandnightcaps.com.

More historical fiction for your fall reading, a couple "can't let summer go" books, a Rapunzel reimagining, and books for when you need a good cry. Don't worry it's spoiler-free, but here's what we're chatting about this episode:- Woman 99 by Greer McAllister- The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren- The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett- Buckeye by Patrick Ryan- A Tangled Magic by Andrea Eames- The Undercover BookShop by Katherine Reay (10/6)- Last Kiss of Summer by Jessica M. Felleman- All the Ways We Said Goodbye by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen WhiteConnect with us at narrativesandnightcaps.com! Cheers!

New York Times bestselling author Kieran Scott has written more than fifty novels for children and teens, several under the pen name Kate Brian. Adult mysteries were a more recent addtion to her repertoire. And this September, she’s inviting readers to The Hamptons for an annual weekend away with a group of friends, but this one turns deadly, dark secrets are revealed, and they’re trapped—a hurricane is bearing down in THE GETAWAY. Connect with Kieran on her website and social media:https://www.kieranscott.com/https://www.instagram.com/kieranscottauthor/Find more author interviews, books, and beverage pairings at https://narrativesandnightcaps.com.

Bestselling author Sara Ackerman's latest novel invites readers to explore paradise, Hawaiian waters, and our perception of sharks in THE SHARK HOUSE. Connect with Sara on her website and social media:https://www.ackermanbooks.com/https://www.instagram.com/saraackermanbooks/Find more author interviews, books, and beverage pairings at https://narrativesandnightcaps.com.