Kim and I discuss The Memory Collectors, the way inanimate objects hold power over us because of the memories tied to them, her favorite character to create in this book, her fascination with witches and magic, connecting with readers, and more. Kim’s 2 recommended reads are: The Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick Son of a Trickster by Eden Robinson Support the podcast here. For more information about sponsoring an episode, click here. If you enjoy reading contemporary fiction and want to listen to more podcast episodes like this one, try Lisa Duffy, Katherine Center, Madeleine Henry, Kristy Woodson Harvey, and Amy Poeppel. The Memory Collectors can be purchased at the CFAP Bookshop store or at Murder by the Book. 

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Hala and I discuss The Arsonists’ City, the character she enjoyed writing the most, wanting to provide a deeper understanding of Lebanon to her readers, how and why intergenerational conflict and secrets provide great fodder for writers, wanting to incorporate the recent political events in Lebanon into her story, and more. The Arsonists’ City can be purchased at Murder by the Book or the CFAP Bookshop storefront. Hala’s 3 recommended reads are: Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett Support the podcast here. For more information about sponsoring an episode, click here. If you enjoy reading contemporary fiction and want to listen to more podcast episodes like this one, try Nancy Johnson, Julie Carrick Dalton, Madeleine Henry, Mateo Askaripour, and Te-Ping Chen.

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Patti and I discuss her latest book Surviving Savannah, how she found a door into this story, the way the Pulaski and its passengers spoke to her, how Friends and Fiction came about and what the group is doing now, the fascinating research she conducted, and much more. Surviving Savannah can be purchased at Murder by the Book or the CFAP Bookshop storefront. Patti’s 5 recommended reads are: Under the Southern Sky by Kristy Woodson Harvey The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews The Summer of Lost and Found by Mary Alice Monroe The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristen Harmel When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain Support the podcast here. For more information about sponsoring an episode, click here. Surviving Savannah is on my recent She Reads Most Anticipated Historical Fiction Books of 2021 list and is a March Buzz Reads selection. If you enjoy reading historical fiction and want to listen to more podcast episodes like this one, try Erika Robuck, Julia Kelly, Kate Quinn, Hazel Gaynor, and Kristin Harmel.

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J.T. and I discuss her latest mystery Her Dark Lies, closed circle versus locked room mysteries, the trip that lead to her creating Her Dark Lies, the character that she really struggled to write, writing books in a series compared to standalone books, and much more. Her Dark Lies can be purchased at Murder by the Book or the CFAP Bookshop storefront. J.T.’s recommended read is The Push by Ashley Audrain. Support the podcast here. For more information about sponsoring an episode, click here. If you enjoy reading mysteries/thrillers and want to listen to more podcast episodes like this one, try Jane Harper, Sarah Pearse, Alice Henderson, and David Heska Wanbli Weiden.

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Jennifer and I discuss her debut The Little French Bridal Shop, the inspiration for both her story and the bridal shop in the book, how small falsehoods can easily turn into a web of lies, how she balances her day job and writing, reading recommendations, and more. The Little French Bridal Shop can be purchased at Murder by the Book or the CFAP Bookshop storefront. Jennifer’s 3 recommended reads are: Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane The Late Bloomers’ Club by Louise Miller Your Corner Dark by Desmond Hall Support the podcast here. For more information about sponsoring an episode, click here. If you enjoy reading contemporary fiction and want to listen to more podcast episodes like this one, try Nancy Johnson, Julie Carrick Dalton, Madeleine Henry, Lauren Ho, and Lainey Cameron.

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Kate and I discuss her latest book The Rose Code, writing about the unsung women code breakers at Bletchley Park who helped shorten the war by at least two years, the amount of secrecy required of those who worked at Bletchley Park and the mental and emotional toll on them, her favorite character to write in The Rose Code, and much more. The Rose Code can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Kate’s 3 recommended reads are: The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab The Children’s Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson Support the podcast here. For more information about sponsoring an episode, click here. The Rose Code is on my recent She Reads Most Anticipated Historical Fiction Books of 2021 and is a March Buzz Reads selection. If you enjoy reading historical fiction and want to listen to more podcast episodes like this one, try Erika Robuck, Julia Kelly, Lauren Willig, Hazel Gaynor, and Kristin Harmel.

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Mark and I discuss his new Gray Man novel Relentless, the inspiration for Court Gentry, the character he enjoys writing the most, what it was like working with Tom Clancy and continuing his series, writing two books a year, the fantastic mystery/thriller community and much more. Relentless can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Mark’s 4 recommended reads are: American Traitor by Brad Taylor Robert Ludlum’s The Treadstone Exile by Joshua Hood The Outside Man by Don Bentley The Breaker by Nick Petrie Support the podcast here. For more information about sponsoring an episode, click here. If you enjoy reading mysteries and thrillers and want to listen to more podcast episodes like this one, try Lisa Gardner, Jane Harper, Sarah Pearse or David Heska Wanbli Weiden.

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Lauren and I discuss her latest book Band of Sisters, how she learned about this courageous group of women, how often women’s stories have been erased from the historical narrative, the one issue that almost broke the Smith College group, her 2021 Pink Carnation series Read-a-Long, and much more. Band of Sisters can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Lauren’s 2 recommended reads are: Tooth and Claw by Joe Walton The Midnight Library by Matt Haig Band of Sisters is on my recent She Reads Most Anticipated Historical Fiction Books of 2021 and will be an April Buzz Reads selection. If you enjoy reading historical fiction and want to listen to more podcast episodes like this one, try Erika Robuck, Julia Kelly, Jennifer Rosner, Hazel Gaynor and Kristin Harmel.

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