WJHG Chapter Chat

Author Christine Wells joins Chapter Chat from Australia to talk The Lost Perfumes of Paris. The novel is a love letter to Paris and perfume meant to be an escapist, armchair-travel read celebrating female strength.

Wells shares how she connects with readers, what goes into cover design, and her hybrid writing process. Wells talks about researching but avoiding a rigid plan so characters can come to life on the page. As she puts it: too rigid feels like paint-by-numbers.

For years, author Madeline Martin kept a secret. She had a vivid childhood dream she never shared with a single person. That dream eventually became the seed for her latest novel, A Time of Witches. It's a spellbinding blend of magical realism and historical fiction, and the perfect read to curl up with this fall.

In this episode of Chapter Chat, Madeline opens up about the long road to bringing this story into the world. She was once told flatly that "witches don't sell" and shelved the idea for years until shifting reader tastes finally made the timing right. We talk about what it felt like to finally write the book she'd been holding onto, and how she tackled it with her signature "fast draft" method, turning out a full manuscript in just a month.

The conversation also travels well beyond the page. Madeline shares how on-location research trips shape the authenticity of her historical settings, and she opens up about a deeply personal milestone of returning to college later in life to earn her MFA. It's a goal that traces back to her very first time in school, when she didn't pursue writing simply because she didn't yet know "author" could be a real career. Now, with that degree in hand, she's channeling it into her next chapter. 

Whether you're a longtime fan of Madeline Martin or discovering her for the first time, this episode is a reminder that the best stories sometimes wait decades for the right moment to be told.

Known as a queen of sun-drenched summer reads, New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey thought she was heading into a much-needed break until inspiration struck on tour and pulled her right into autumn. In this episode of Chapter Chat, Kristy joins Jessica Foster to dive into Falling for Peachtree Bluff, returning to her beloved, wildly popular series with a cozy seasonal twist that welcomes both longtime fans and brand-new readers alike. Kristy shares how unexpected story ideas take root on the road, the creative magic of embracing the fall season, and how today’s evolving literary landscape is giving authors unprecedented ways to connect directly with their readers.

Author Charlotte Lillie Balogh joins Chapter Chat to discuss her gripping coming-of-age novel, Capsized, centered on a high school girls' rowing team. Charlotte opens up about the grit required in the revision process, the village behind every book, and the realities of promoting on BookTok and other social media platforms. Plus, she shares an exclusive tease about adapting Capsized for the screen and delivers a candid, impassioned take on why society still owes female athletes far more respect.

In this engaging and candid episode of Chapter Chat, bestselling author Eliza Knight joins us to discuss the unique challenge of releasing two very different books simultaneously: Lost in the Summer of ’69 and a gripping thriller published under her pseudonym, Michelle Brandon.

Eliza breaks down the creative process of switching between historical fiction and suspense, what she uncovered while researching Woodstock, and why exploring the reality of aging was central to her narrative. Packed with fun behind-the-scenes stories and great conversation, this episode is a fascinating look at craft and creative versatility.

In this episode of Chapter Chat, host Jessica Foster sits down with New York Times bestselling author Nina Simon to discuss her latest release, My Sister is Going to Kill Me. Nina opens up about how her mother’s cancer diagnosis became the catalyst for her writing journey, the fierce power of female bonds, and how storytelling became an unexpected conduit for healing and joy. Plus, Nina shares what it’s really like living completely off the grid, generating her own electricity, and why leaving her career as a NASA engineer taught her the importance of giving yourself permission to chase brand-new dreams unapologetically.

Episode Synopsis:

In this empowering episode of Chapter Chat, host Jessica Foster sits down with bestselling author Natasha Lester to discuss her captivating new novel, The Chateau on Sunset, a stunning 1960s retelling of Jane Eyre.

Together, they dive deep into the power of female friendships, the strength of "the whisper network," and what it truly means to live unapologetically without making yourself small. Both Natasha and Jessica share candid, personal stories from their own lives about overcoming self-doubt and carving out their own paths. Tune in for a raw, inspiring conversation that will leave you energized to follow your dreams and stand tall.

In this episode of Chapter Chat, we sit down with bestselling author Susan Wiggs to celebrate the paperback release of her deeply resonant novel, Wayward Girls. Susan opens up about the passionate, specific feedback she has received from readers and shares her unique creative process, from the grounding ritual of handwriting her first drafts to how she physically transitions when writing about traumatic themes. We also explore the striking parallels between how novelists and journalists decompress and process the heavy, emotional stories they are responsible for telling.

In this episode of Chapter Chat, we sit down with the legendary New York Times bestselling author Rhys Bowen to discuss her latest release, The Castle in the Glen.

Rhys shares why she actively seeks out creative challenges when plotting her intricate novels, how she successfully keeps so many literary plates spinning at the same time, and what it’s really like collaborating with her daughter, Clare Broyles, to bring beloved characters to life. Whether you’re an aspiring novelist or a devoted fan of historical mystery, Rhys’s insights on discipline, family, and the joy of storytelling will leave you inspired.

Why do real-life spy operations feel wilder than anything we can make up? This week on Chapter Chat, we’re cracking open Spies, Lies & Alibies with author Natalie Walters. She reveals how she uses bizarre, real-world scenarios to weave into her high-stakes mysteries, her blueprint for the ultimate slow-burn romance, and how she crafts addictive thrill rides that leave readers saying: that was a blast, let’s do it again.