Nightmare of a Trip follows the Somerset family’s haunted road trip from Milwaukee to a theme park in Orlando. Maureen shares more about the book, and her own family road trips and all the enduring memories formed through such journeys. She also discusses her previous works, 'Suburban Hell' and 'Hex Education,' highlighting the mix of suburban life and supernatural elements.

What do you do when the ghosts you're running from become your only hope? Del Sandeen joins me on the couch to discuss her debut novel, 'This Cursed House.' This Cursed House is set in the 1960s, and it follows Gemma Barker, a schoolteacher who moves to New Orleans for a fresh start. While there, she finds herself forced to confront her ability to see ghosts while helping a cursed family. We talk more about the book, while sharing insights on the importance of tackling difficult...

What happens when romance meets mortality in the most unexpected way? Ivy Fairbanks joins me on the couch to talk about her debut novel, 'Morbidly Yours.' Morbidly Yours tells the story of an unlikely friendship and romance between a bubbly Texan and a shy Irish mortician in Galway, Ireland, as they navigate personal struggles and challenges. In our conversation we talk about the novel and what readers can expect, Ivy’s inspiration from her own experiences with grief and interest in...

Send me a text messageA Talent for Murder follows Martha, a newly married librarian who suspects her husband Alan, a traveling salesman, might be involved in a series of murders. Martha enlists the help of her old friend Lily to investigate Alan's activities, which uncovers other mysterious individuals tracking him. In this episode, we also discuss some of Peter Swanson's other works and classic mystery authors, such as Patricia Highsmith and Agatha Christie. Peter also shares ins...

Send me a text messageThe Blackhouse unfolds on a remote Scottish island, and it integrates two narratives: a man grappling with past actions and a bipolar woman investigating a historical murder. The novel combines supernatural elements, suspense, and deep character studies. Carol shares insights on the eerie setting of the Outer Hebrides, her inspirations, and the process of writing complex, multi-faceted characters. She also touches on her journey as an author, her past w...

Send me a text messageLove Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell centers on Hannah, a young woman obsessed with a true-crime case in Atlanta after a breakup, who starts writing to the suspect, leading to an unexpected romance. The discussion also touches on the phenomenon of women falling in love with real-life serial killers and explores themes of modern dating and millennial struggles. Additionally, Tasha shares her reading preferences and inspirations for the book, giving...

Send me a text messageBegin Again follows Frankie McKenzie, who, after a freak accident, finds herself in an otherworldly Station where she can revisit key moments in her past to explore alternate life paths. Victoria and Heli discuss the book's themes, the inspiration behind the Station, and the idea of life's pivotal crossroads. They also play a fun time travel game and delve into Heli's previous works, 'The Shelf' and 'The Couple.' Heli shares her writing journey, advice for her younger se...

Send me a text messageTell Me Who You Are is a gripping psychological thriller where Brooklyn psychiatrist Dr. Caroline Strange's life unravels after a patient, Nelson Schack, confesses plans to kill someone and claims to know her true identity. When detectives investigate a missing woman, Dr. Caroline becomes the prime suspect. Determined to prove her innocence, she pursues Nelson, confronting a past she's long tried to escape. Louisa Luna joins me on the couch to talk more about...

Send me a text messageFinding Margaret Fuller is a fictionalized account of 19th-century feminist Margaret Fuller's life, including her influential relationships, work in women's rights, and role as the first female foreign correspondent for the New York Tribune. Despite being a mentor to significant figures like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Louisa May Alcott, Fuller remains an unsung heroine. Alison shares the process of discovering and writing about Fuller, and they discuss her profound impac...

Send me a text messageWedding objections are a thing! In this episode, I'm joined by author Lynn Painter to talk about her novel "Happily Never After." The story follows Sophie Steinbeck, a bride-to-be who hires a professional wedding objector named Max Parks to call off her wedding after discovering her fiancé's infidelity. We then see Sophie getting interested in Max's job, and they team up to disrupt nuptials. But Sophie and Max have a bond and share undeniable chem...

Send me a text messageThis semester, let's go to a quaint English boarding school by the sea! Author Jenny Colgan joins me to talk about her series "The School by the Sea" which explores life at Downey House, an English boarding school. Book one, 'Welcome to the School by the Sea,' introduces new teacher Maggie and her journey from Glasgow to the posh Downey House, as well as her interactions with students Fliss, Alice, and Simone. Book two, 'Rules at the School by the Sea,'...

Send me a text messageCan a retired art thief help her alien friend Auncle's dwindling race? The Stardust Grail follows Maya, a Princeton graduate student who uncovers a clue to an ancient grail that could save her alien friend Uncle's race. Despite a disastrous previous heist, Maya joins Uncle on an interstellar adventure, racing against Earth's military and other groups to secure the grail. Along the way, they navigate complex moral and cultural dilemmas while exploring di...

Send me a text messageHave you ever felt like everyone else got "the memo" but you? Well, that's precisely how 35-year-old Jenny Green feels, and as a result, she's not looking forward to her upcoming college reunion. She reluctantly attends, and while there, she sees an old career counselor who provides her with a magical memo. This memo offers Jenny the chance to travel back to crucial moments in her life, allowing her to alter her past decisions and potentially change her...

Send me a text messageGet a detailed recap of this book-to-screen adaptation! Apple TV+'s new series "Lady in the Lake" is an adaptation of Laura Lippman's 2019 novel. The series, set in 1966 Baltimore, stars Natalie Portman as Maddie and Moses Ingram as Cleo. The story begins with a young Jewish girl, Tessie, going missing while also following the converging lives of two women: Maddie Schwartz, a Jewish housewife turned investigative journalist, and Cleo Johnson, a Black si...

Send me a text messageA memoir that reads like a mystery novel, that's my pitch for Woman of Interest by Tracy O'Neill. The book details Tracy's life as a Korean adoptee raised in New England and her emotional journey to find her biological mother. From filing a missing person's report to trying to hire a private investigator and then eventually traveling to Korea to meet her mother, this memoir mixes the intensity of a mystery novel with personal, vulnerable moments. In the...

Send me a text messageReady to go undercover? Teen entrepreneurs August and Valentine run a business that ends problematic relationships by going undercover and discreetly persuading couples to break up. They think they have mastered their gig, but challenges arise when August falls for their new target, and Valentine starts questioning her feelings for a neighbor. In the episode, Adriana also discusses her transition from writing dark mysteries to rom-coms, her pandemic-ins...

Send me a text messageSet against the backdrop of the Olympic Games, the story follows Olivia, who lands her dream job at the Olympics, and Ezekiel, a sprinter participating in the Olympic Games, aiming for gold. We see them navigate personal and professional challenges while forming a genuine connection. The discussion delves into the author's inspiration, the layered storytelling, and the excitement of the Olympic setting. Get book recommendations, hear about Rufaro's plan...

Send me a text messageGet a detailed recap of this book-to-screen adaptation! Apple TV+'s new series "Lady in the Lake" is an adaptation of Laura Lippman's 2019 novel. The series, set in 1966 Baltimore, stars Natalie Portman as Maddie and Moses Ingram as Cleo. The story begins with a young Jewish girl, Tessie, going missing while also following the converging lives of two women: Maddie Schwartz, a Jewish housewife turned investigative journalist, and Cleo Johnson, a Black si...

Send me a text messageHow does a week-long family vacation at Cape Cod highlight how much of life changes, remains the same, and spotlights all the highs, lows, complexities and simplicities in life? That's what you discover in this episode, but also in Catherine Newman's novel "Sandwich." The novel is set against the backdrop of an annual family beach vacation. It follows Rocky, a woman in her mid-fifties, as she navigates menopause, aging parents, and adult children. The c...

Send me a text messageLet's return to 1999 and have fun adventures in New York City! In this episode, author Suzanne Rindell joins me to talk about her novel, "Summer Fridays." The story follows Sawyer, an editorial assistant in NYC during the summer of 1999, as she forms an unexpected friendship with Nick amidst their partners' busy schedules. Suzanne shares her inspiration from NYC post 9/11 and the pandemic, discusses her characters, and gives recommendations for summer a...

Send me a text messageFrom books about road trips, family beach vacations, the Olympics, and an Italian island, in this episode I share seven beach read book recommendations across various genres for the summer. Don't forget to share your what you've been reading and doing this summer via text or Spotify Q&A.SHOW NOTES & BOOKLIST:Find the episode show notes and a list of all the books mentioned here.LINKS:The 7 Summer Beach Reads You Can't Miss in 2024Interview with Lorenzo Carc...

Send me a text messageAre you superstitious? Do you believe heirloom rings carry past karma? Author Jessie Rosen joins me on the couch to talk all things heirloom rings, Italy, self-discovery, and, of course, her novel, 'The Heirloom.' The story follows Shea Anderson, a marketing executive in Los Angeles, who is superstitious about vintage engagement rings. Despite her grandmother's warning, Shea's boyfriend John proposes with such a ring, leading her on a journey to u...

Send me a text messageFriends and avid readers Victoria, Laura, and Francesca discuss their lives in Florida, their favorite childhood and current books, self-care routines, and lots more. The episode wraps with the announcement of their upcoming live show, Novel Nights, premiering on July 11th, 2024, on YouTube! The show is set to air weekly and will feature seasonal content, book recommendations, current tea, and fun activities. So subscribe to my YouTube channel so you're...

Send me a text messageWhat does it mean to truly live? Douglas Westerbeke’s debut novel "A Short Walk Through a Wide World" is set in 1885 Paris. The story follows nine-year-old Aubrey, who must constantly travel to stay alive due to a mysterious illness or curse. We see her form friendships, have romances, and find joy while discovering what it means to truly live. Douglas shares more about the adventure, love, and loss themes in the book and we share stories about ou...