On this episode, Kristin Harmel & Ron Block welcome bestselling author Madeline Martin to discuss The Booklover’s Library, her heartwarming new story about a mother and daughter in wartime England and the power of books to bring them together. We’re also treated to a pop-in by Emmy-award winning journalist turned novelist Linda Hurtado Bond to chat about her gripping new thriller All the Missing Girls. Madeline Martin is the NYT, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and internationally bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance with books translated into more than 25 languages. She joins us from sunny Florida to discuss her latest, The Booklover’s Library, which has been dubbed “a must-read for booklovers” by Chanel Cleeton and “a quiet little jewel of a wartime novel” by Kate Quinn. By day, Linda Hurtado Bond is an Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist. By night, she’s an author of James Bond-like adventures and heart-stopping thrillers. The host of “Tampa Bay Reads,” Linda has hosted all of F&F’s hosts on her television segment. She joins us to discuss her new spine-tingling mystery, All the Missing Girls, featuring her recurring character, Tampa crime reporter Mari Alvarez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, the Fab Four gather to welcome this month’s F&F Featured Author, Jessa Maxwell, to discuss her new book, our August 2024 Pick of the Month, I NEED YOU TO READ THIS, a sly and addictive new mystery about an advice columnist searching for answers about her predecessor’s murder. Jessa Maxwell is the author and illustrator of five picture books for children whose comics and cartoons have been published in The New Yorker and The New York Times, and whose writing has been published in Slate, Marie Claire, and many other publications. She previously joined us on our podcast in March 2023 to discuss her debut adult novel, the darkly beguiling locked-room mystery The Golden Spoon. We are excited to welcome Jessa back to discuss her clever new cat-and-mouse murder mystery, I NEED YOU TO READ THIS (Atria Books, Aug 13), which Booklist called a “palm-sweat-inducing psychological thriller,” and which Publishers Weekly praised for its “scintillating tension.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, the Fab Four gather to celebrate this month’s F&F Featured Author, the NYT-bestselling author of The Summer of Songbirds and the Peachtree Bluff series, our very own Kristy Woodson Harvey, to discuss her brand-new book, our June 2024 Pick of the Month A HAPPIER LIFE, a tender and touching novel about a young woman who discovers the family she has always longed for when she spends a life-changing summer in North Carolina. Kristy is the NYT-bestselling author of ten novels, including The Wedding Veil, Under the Southern Sky, and the Peachtree Bluff series, which is in development for television with NBC. Her writing has appeared in numerous online and print publications including Southern Living, Traditional Home, USA TODAY, Domino, and O. Henry. Her latest novel, A HAPPIER LIFE, is imbued with “her signature warmth and Southern charm” (E! Online), and has been called “a family mystery wrapped in a love story and a gracious nod to tradition and the people who came before us” by bestselling novelist Annabel Monaghan, and labeled “women’s fiction at its best” in a rave review from Publishers Weekly. The full Fab Four plus Meg & Ron are on-hand to launch this beautiful book in grand F&F fashion on a LIVE show with all the laughs and shenanigans you’ve come to expect. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This very special episode marks the triumphant return of “F&F Theater” as the Fab Four, podcast host Ron Block, and F&F’s Managing Director Meg Walker gather to celebrate the launch of Patti Callahan Henry’s THE SECRET BOOK OF FLORA LEA in grand style! You won’t want to miss this show, complete with props and bad accents — but also with loads of great insights about Patti’s new novel and, as always, lots of laughs. With incredible blurbs from an amazing array of bestselling authors, fantastic pre-pub reviews including a starred Kirkus (“magical…an enchanting tribute to the power of storytelling”), Patti’s new novel is shaping up to be one of the hottest books of Spring 2023. It has already been named a Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick, an Indie Next Pick, a Library Reads Pick, an Amazon Editors' Pick, a Books-a-Million Summer Says Pick, and a Book of the Month Add-On Choice among many other accolades. In short, THE SECRET BOOK OF FLORA LEA is one book you do not want to miss out on! So be sure to tune in and hear all about it! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK Meg Walker and Ron Block host a fascinating conversation with Julie Gerstenblatt, author of the recent release Daughters of Nantucket and Andrea Dunlop, author of Women are the Fiercest Creatures. Both works are set in different times, but are connected through how their 3 main protagonists are affected and relate to events and circumstances that test their relationships and lives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On tonight’s show, we are excited to welcome back our good friend Joshilyn Jackson! Joshilyn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of several novels, including NEVER HAVE I EVER and MOTHER MAY I. Her books have been translated into a dozen languages, won SIBA’s Novel of the Year award, twice been the #1 Indie Next Pick, and twice won Georgia Author of the Year among many other accolades. A former actor, Joshilyn is an award-winning audiobook narrator. As a volunteer with Reforming Arts and a member of their board of directors, Jackson has taught creative writing in Georgia’s maximum security facility for women. She joins us to discuss her new novel, WITH MY LITTLE EYE (April25, William Morrow), which F&F fave Karin Slaughter has called, “a dark, twisting confection.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK Patti Callahan Henry and Ron Block are joined by Zoe Fishman, author of the deeply personal novel The Fun Widow's Book Tour. Her novel was inspired by the tragic loss of her own husband and it's impact on her life and the lives of her children. Zoe's book is injected with honesty, authenticity and humor, all of which is reflected in this warm and meaningful conversation about love, friendship, and ultimately hope. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this season premiere episode we welcome two incredible author guests — Brenda Novak and Alka Joshi. New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak has written 75 novels and is an eight-time Rita nominee, among many other awards. She runs Brenda Novak for the Cure, a charity that has raised more than $2.5 million for diabetes research — as well as the warm and enthusiastic Brenda Novak’s Book Group on Facebook which boasts more than 26,000 members. Brenda joins us live on-location from Oklahoma City on her 2-month “Bookstream” book tour on which she’s covering 8,000 miles over 33 stops in an Airstream trailer converted into a combo bookstore and coffee shop. You wont want to miss this fun dispatch from the road and the chance to hear about her latest novel THE SEASIDE LIBRARY. Born in India and raised in the US since she was nine, Alka Joshi has a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of Arts. Joshi's debut novel, THE HENNA ARTIST, immediately became a New York Times bestseller, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick, was Longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, & is in development as a Netflix series. She joins us to discuss the third and final installment in her internationally bestselling Jaipur Trilogy, THE PERFUMIST OF PARIS, which Kate Quinn calls, “Alka Joshi's best book yet!" We loved hearing all about this novel which takes readers to 1970s Paris where Radha's budding career as a perfumer competes with the demands of her family and the secrets of her past. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK This week, Ron Block and Kristy Woodson Harvey talk with J. Ryan Stradal about his new book, Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club, which Roxanne Gay called "a Perfect Book" and has received a starred review from Kirkus. This intergeneration saga centering on the rivalry between two families is an ode to the midwest, supper clubs and finding your way in the world. Be sure to bring a relish tray and a Brandy Old-Fashioned for this episode! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Mary Kay Andrews are joined by Chef Kenny Gilbert to celebrate his new cookbook, Southren Cooking/Global Flavors which reflects his approach to joining flavors from his world wide experience with his southern focus in food. His story includes his popular run on Top Chef and his path to becoming a preferred personal chef for Oprah Winfrey. A fascinating story and cookbok! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK Kristy Woodson Harvey and Ron Block are joined by author and entrepreneur Cleere Cherry Reaves to talk about her new book, The Miracle of You, along with Cleere's approach to embracing her faith to get through difficult times and celebrate sharing her gifts through her creativity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Kristin Harmel delve into the December 2022 #1 Libary Reads pick, The Circus Train, written by the wonderful Amita Parikh. This stunning debut took the book world by storm, but as we learn during our discussion, it was not a quick and easy road to publication. The path is fascinating and Amita shares her journey that is inspiring and demonstrated how perserverance pays off. Truly a magical book and guest! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tune in for the Winter 2023 Season Finale epiosde with two blockbuster bestselling authors both joinung us during their publication week to showcase their brand-new novels—Lisa Scottoline & Robert Dugoni! Lisa Scottoline is the #1 bestselling and Edgar award-winning author of 35 novels with 30-million copies of her books in print, published in more than 35 countries. Her weekly Philadelphia Inquirer “Chick Wit” column—written with her daughter Francesca Serritella—have been collected in a New York Times bestselling series of nine humorous memoirs. She has penned dozens of bestselling stand-alone thrillers including last yer's WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS, plus the wildly successful Rosato & DiNunzio series. She joins us to discuss her latest historical novel LOYALTY (just out from Putnam)—an emotional, action-packed epic of love and justice, set during the rise of the Mafia in Sicily. Robert Dugoni is the award-winning, critically acclaimed, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and #1 Amazon bestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite police series, which has sold more than 8 million books worldwide. He is also the author of The Charles Jenkins espionage series, the David Sloane legal thriller series, and several stand-alone novels including THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF SAM HELL, Suspense Magazine’s 2018 Book of the Year, for which Dugoni’s narration won an AudioFile Earphones Award. With books sold in more than 25 countries and translated into more than 30 languages, several of Robert’s novels have been optioned for movies and television. He joins us to discuss HER DEADLY GAME (just out from Thomas & Mercer), a twisty new suspense novel introducing the start of a new series featuring Seattle prosecutor Keera Duggan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Patti Callahan Henry & Kristin Harmel welcome the #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Wingate to discuss SHELTERWOOD, her sweeping new novel inspired by the untold history of women pioneers who fought to protect children caught in the storm of land barons hungry for power and oil wealth. Lisa Wingate is the author of the #1 NYT-bestseller BEFORE WE WERE YOURS, which remained on bestseller lists for more than two years, has sold more than 3-million copies, and been translated into more than 40 languages worldwide. The author of more than 30 novels and the co-author (with Judy Christie) of the non-fiction book BEFORE AND AFTER, Wingate is an Oklahoma Book Award finalist, a Southern Book Prize winner, and a Goodreads Choice Award winner. According to a recent starred review in Publishers Weekly, “Wingate is at the top of her game.” We are thrilled to hear from her about SHELTERWOOD, which Adriana Trigiani calls “an instant American classic,” and Marie Benedict calls “Wingate’s best book yet!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK One of our favorites, Elizabeth Berg, join Ron Block and Patti Callahan Henry to celebrate the release of her newest book, Earth's the Right Place for Love, which tells the early story of one of her most beloved characters, Arthur Truluv. The conversation expands to exploring the depths of writing character, of writing with heart and demonstrates why Elizabeth truly captures the best of humanity in her work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On tonight’s episode, we are so thrilled to have THREE authors joining us LIVE! First we talk to the USA Today bestselling author of five novels, Colleen Oakley. Colleen’s books (including The Invisible Husband of Frick Island and Before I Go) have been translated into more than 21 languages, optioned for film, long-listed for the Southern Book Prize, and named best books by People, Us Weekly, Library Journal, and Real Simple. A former magazine editor, Colleen’s articles and essays have been featured in The New York Times and Ladies’ Home Journal among many other outlets. She joins us to discuss her brand-new book, THE MOSTLY TRUE STORY OF TANNER & LOUISE (coming from Berkley on March 28th), which Jodi Picoult called a “wildly surprising, entertaining ride,” and Taylor Jenkins Reid hails as “an absolute blast.” Next up we meet novelist Julie Carrick Dalton. As a journalist, Julie has published more than a thousand articles in The Boston Globe, BusinessWeek and The Hollywood Reporter among other publications. A frequent speaker on the topic of writing fiction in the age of climate crisis, Julie is an avid skier, hiker, and kayaker, and a former beekeeper who farms a tract of land in rural New Hampshire. She joins us to discuss her new novel THE LAST BEEKEEPER, a post-apocalyptic meditation on the fragility of nature, that was released on March 7th by Forge Books. On the After Show we are joined by Stephanie Marie Thornton to discuss her new work of historical fiction, HER LOST WORDS: A Novel of Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley, an homage to the legendary mother-daughter pair of writers, coming from Berkley on March 28th. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK Mary Kay Andrews joins Ron Block and our guest, Jenny Jackson to discuss Pineapple Street, Jenny's highly anticipated novel set in Brooklyn Heights exploring the nuances being a member of a wealthy family while navigating life in modern society. Beautifully told from three viewpoints, Jenny shares how her book came to life and how she manages to balance her work as an editor with becoming a debut novelist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On tonight’s episode, we have two amazing author guests — Sarah Penner and Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai. Dr Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai is an award-winning Vietnamese writer and journalist and the author of eleven books of poetry, short fiction and non-fiction. Her debut novel and first book in English, THE MOUNTAINS SING, was an international bestseller, a finalist for the 2021 Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and the winner of many other literary awards. She will be joining us all the way from her current home in Kyrgyzstan in central Asia to discuss her new novel, DUST CHILD, a suspenseful and moving saga about family secrets, hidden trauma, and the overriding power of forgiveness, set during the Vietnam War and in present-day Vietnam. Sarah Penner is the bestselling author of the enormously popular debut novel THE LOST APOTHECARY. Inspired by a moving lecture given by Elizabeth Gilbert in 2015, Sarah enrolled in an online creative writing class and hasn’t looked back since. Now, after more than a decade in corporate finance, she is thrilled to call herself a full-time writer. Sarah joins us to discuss her new novel, THE LONDON SEANCE SOCIETY. A spellbinding gothic whodunit introducing two enigmatic women out to solve a most unusual mystery, this book was just released on March 7th and the Book of the Month Club pick for March. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Patti Callahan Henry host debut author Jessa Maxwell about her book, The Golden Spoon, which has been receiving universal praise for it's twist on Clue meets The Great British Baking Show with murder! Jessa talks about her original idea and her road to publication. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On International Women's Day and during Women's History Month, we welcome two masters of historical fiction— Jennifer Rosner & Julia Kelly! Jennifer Rosner is the author of the novels Once We Were Home and The Yellow Bird Sings, a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award; the memoir If A Tree Falls: A Family's Quest to Hear and Be Heard, about raising her deaf daughters; and a children's book, The Mitten String, which is a Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable. Jennifer's writing has appeared in the New York Times, The Massachusetts Review, The Forward, and Good Housekeeping. She joins us to discuss ONCE WE WERE HOME, a novel based on the true stories of children stolen in the wake of World War II, out March 14th from Flatiron Books. Julia Kelly is the award-winning and internationally bestselling author of books about ordinary women and their extraordinary stories. She pens historical fiction and historical mysteries under her real name as well as steamy, contemporary romance novels under the pen name Julia Blake. Her books have been translated into 13 languages. In addition to writing, she’s been an Emmy-nominated producer, journalist, marketing professional, and a tea waitress. Julia called Los Angeles, Iowa, and New York City home before settling in London. She joins us from across the pond to discuss her latest work of historical fiction, THE LOST ENGLISH GIRL, an epic saga of love, motherhood, and betrayal during World War II, out March 7th from Gallery Books. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK Rebecca Makkai, author of The Great Believers which was a finaist for both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award speaks with Ron Block and Meg Walker about her newest book, I Have Some Questions For You. Our conversation was a fascinating exploration of themes within the book- memory, feminism, our obsession with true crime and a murder mystersy, all set in a boarding school. Truly an honor to speak with Rebecca about this unforgettable triumph of a book. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, we are so excited to welcome back our good friend, the USA Today bestselling author of 14 psychological thrillers, Hank Phillippi Ryan. Hank has won the most prestigious awards in the genre: five Agathas, five Anthonys, and the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award. She’s also an on-air investigative reporter for Boston’s WHDH-TV, with an astounding 37 EMMYs and dozens more journalism honors to her credit. A truly good literary citizen, Hank is a founder of Mystery Writers of America University, host of CRIME TIME on A Mighty Blaze, and co-host of First Chapter Fun and The Back Room. She joins us to discuss her newest page-turning, standalone thriller, THE HOUSE GUEST, just out from Forge Books. Described as “Gaslight” meets “Thelma & Louise,” The House Guest is a binge-worthy story of psychological manipulation that explores the dark heart of marriage and friendship. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Patti Callahan Henry are joined by Pamela Terry (When the Moon Turns Blue) and Anne Burt (The Dig) to talk about their new releases, the power of story, of character and explore how in fiction, things aren't quite as they seem. A truly fascinating conversation that exceeded expectations! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, we are lucky to have TWO incredible author guests joining us—Sadeqa Johnson and Lynn Cullen! Sadeqa Johnson is the award-winning author of four novels, including Yellow Wife. A Kimbilio Fellow, former board member of the James River Writers, and a Tall Poppy Writer, Sadeqa’s accolades include the National Book Club Award, the Phillis Wheatley Book Award, and the USA Best Book Award for Best Fiction. Sadeqa joins us to discuss her latest “triumph of historical fiction” (The Washington Post), THE HOUSE OF EVE, which has just burst onto the literary scene as an instant NYT bestseller, a Reese’s Book Club pick, an IndieNext pick, and a LibraryReads pick. We are so glad to introduce you to bestselling author Lynn Cullen, who has penned the historical novels The Sisters of Summit Avenue, Twain’s End, Mrs. Poe, Reign of Madness, and I Am Rembrandt’s Daughter. A Townsend Prize finalist whose novels have been translated into seventeen languages, Lynn’s books have been named as best-of picks by People magazine, Target, IndieNext, Costco, Oprah, Atlanta magazine, and the Georgia Center for the Book. Lynn joins us to discuss her riveting new novel THE WOMAN WITH THE CURE, coming 2/21 from Berkley Publishing. Based on the true story of the woman who stopped a pandemic, the book has gotten fabulous early reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal along with raves from authors like Pam Jenoff and Bonnie Garmus. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Mary Kay Andrews & Kristy Woodson Harvey welcome national bestselling author Annabel Monaghan to discuss her brand-new, highly-anticipated rom-com, SUMMER ROMANCE, the humorous and heartwarming story of a professional organizer whose life is a mess, and the summer she gets unstuck with the help of someone unexpected from her past. Annabel Monaghan is the author of LibraryReads pick and national bestseller SAME TIME NEXT SUMMER and IndieNext and LibraryReads pick NORA GOES OFF SCRIPT, as well as two young adult novels and DOES THIS VOLVO MAKE MY BUTT LOOK BIG?, a selection of laugh-out-loud columns that appeared in the Huffington Post, The Week, and the Rye Record. She joins us from her home in Rye, New York before departing on book tour to talk to us about SUMMER ROMANCE, the book Publishers Weekly has called “the ideal beach read” in a starred review, and which Abby Jimenez has called “a bingeable five-star read.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Mary Kay Andrews talk with Kristen Mei Chase about her charming and poignant debut novel A Thousand Miles to Graceland. We delve into the humor but also mother/daughter relationships, healing and representation of multi-racial characters in fiction. A don't miss episode! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, we are so excited to welcome back our dear friend, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 25 novels, J.T. Ellison. With millions of copies in print and books published in twenty-eight countries, J.T.’s work has been optioned for film and television and won critical acclaim and prestigious awards. The EMMY award-winning co-host of the literary TV show A WORD ON WORDS, J.T. also writes urban fantasy under the pen name Joss Walker. She joins us to discuss her brand-new edge-of-your-seat thriller IT’S ONE OF US (coming 2/21/23 from MIRA/Harlequin), which has been called a “twisting thrill ride” by Lisa Unger, “riveting” by Lisa Scottoline, “heart-stoppingly tense” by Ruth Ware, and “smart, taut, and mind-blowing” by Mary Kubica. We can’t wait to talk to J.T. all about it. Stick around for the After Show when we welcome New York Times bestselling author Jill Santopolo to showcase her new historical novel, STARS IN AN ITALIAN SKY, a sweeping story of two star-crossed lovers in post-World War II Italy, which Putnam will publish on 2/28/23! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron is joined by Meg Walker for this wonderful Valentines Day Episode! Lunar Love is a fabulous debut novel by Lauren Kung Jessen that explores the relationship between tradition and technology surrounding Chinese Zodiac matchmaking. Not only a heartwarming love story, but also a deep exploration of race and finding acceptance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, we are so excited to introduce you to the award-winning, bestselling contemporary novelist Elinor Lipman. Known for her keen wit, Elinor Lipman is a master of social satire and has written sixteen books, including The Inn at Lake Devine, Rachel to the Rescue, Good Riddance, and one of Mary Kay Andrews’s all-time favorite books, The Family Man. Her debut novel, Then She Found Me, was made into a movie starring Helen Hunt, Bette Midler, Colin Firth, and Matthew Broderick. A writing professor who has taught at Simmons, Smith, and Hampshire colleges, Elinor has been a fiction judge for the National Book Awards and been on the literature panel for the National Endowment for the Arts. She joins us to discuss her latest novel, MS. DEMEANOR, just released in late December by Harper Perennial. Chosen as the Barnes & Noble Fiction Pick for the month of January, Ms. Demeanor has been called “a complete and utter delight” by Richard Russo, and “sexy and fun,” “breezy and engrossing” by Tom Perrotta. We can’t wait to talk to Elinor all about it. Stick around for the After Show when we will welcome Nina de Gramont to feature her novel THE CHRISTIE AFFAIR, which was an instant NYT bestseller and a Reese’s Book Club pick in hardcover and is just being released in paperback by St. Martin’s Press. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Kristy Woodson Harvey welcome Natasha Lester, author of the recently released historical fiction novel, The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre, which is a fascinating look at fashion and espionage before, during, and after WWII in Paris. A terrific conversation about her process, her background and how it all came together. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are thrilled to welcome back our dear friend, New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff! Pam Jenoff is a Rutgers University law professor and the author of several works of historical fiction, including the New York Times bestseller The Orphan's Tale. With degrees in international affairs from George Washington University, in history from Cambridge, and law from UPenn, her novels are inspired by her experiences working at the Pentagon and as a diplomat for the State Department handling Holocaust issues in Poland. She joins us to discuss her latest WW2 novel CODE NAME SAPPHIRE. Join the convo as we discuss her research, inspiration, how she chooses her subject matter, and the process of writing about courageous women who embark on incredible journeys and are forced to make difficult choices. Stick around for the AfterShow when the Fab Four, our Writers Block podcast host Ron Block, and Managign Deirector Meg Walker will highlight some deserving books they want you to know about, some upcoming podcast guests they are excited about, and a few movie/TV adaptations they are enjoying or looking forward to. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Patti Callahan Henry welcome thriller writer, Kaira Rouda about her newest page-turner, The Widow. This taut and twisty book sheds light on the inner workings of life in the U.S. Congress, while exploring the inner workings of families and ambition and the lengths some will go to to achieve and keep power and wealth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are so excited to welcome back New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict! A former lawyer with more than ten years’ experience as a litigator at some of the country’s premier law firms and Fortune500 companies, Marie views herself as an archaeologist of sorts, excavating the untold stories of real women from history. Marie is the author of ten novels including The Other Einstein, Carnegie’s Maid, The Only Woman in the Room, The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, and The Personal Librarian which she co-wrote with Victoria Christopher Murray. Marie joins us to discuss her latest work of historical fiction, the much buzzed-about THE MITFORD AFFAIR, which Sourcebooks just published this month to rave reviews. On the After Show we meet British mixed-race writer and granddaughter of Windrush generation immigrants, Eleanor Shearer, who joins us to discuss her remarkable debut novel, RIVER SING ME HOME (out Jan 31st from Berkley Publishing Group). Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2023 by Goodreads, AARP, Boston.com, and BookRiot, this is a page-turning and redemptive story of a mother’s gripping journey across the Caribbean to find her stolen children in the aftermath of slavery. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Meg Walker are joined by author Susan Stokes-Chapman to take a deep dive into her debut Novel, Pandora, just out this week in the U.S. The book takes influence from the Pandora Myth and creates a captivating tale set in Georgian, London where the discovery of a mysterious ancient Greek vase sets in motion conspiracies, revelations, and romance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode we bring you TWO amazing novelists—Elle Cosimano and Laura Zigman. Elle Cosimano is a USA Today bestselling author, an International Thriller Award winner, a Bram Stoker Award finalist, and an Edgar Award nominee. Also an acclaimed young adult author, Elle’s debut novel for adults, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, was a People Magazine Pick, named one of New York Public Library's Best Books of 2021, and kicked off a witty, fast-paced contemporary mystery series. She joins us to discuss the hilarious and heart-pounding third installment in the series, FINLAY DONOVAN JUMPS THE GUN, out January 31st from Minotaur Books. Laura Zigman is the author of five novels, including Separation Anxiety (optioned by Julianne Nicholson and the production team behind Mare of Easttown for a limited television series); Animal Husbandry (made into the movie “Someone Like You,” starring Hugh Jackman and Ashley Judd), Dating Big Bird, Her, and Piece of Work. The recipient of a Yaddo residency, she has ghostwritten/collaborated on several works of non-fiction, been a contributor to the New York Times and Washington Post, and produced a popular online series of animated videos called Annoying Conversations. She joins us to discuss her sixth novel, SMALL WORLD, released on January 10th by Ecco Books. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Patti Callahan Henry & Kristy Woodson Harvey welcome four-time Emmy Award winning co-host of ABC’s The View, Sunny Hostin, to discuss the captivating third novel in her New York Times bestselling Summer Beach series, Summer on Highland Beach. Sunny Hostin is an attorney, a multi-platform journalist, an ABC News Legal Analyst, a co-host of ABC Daytime’s The View, and the author of SUMMER ON THE BLUFFS and SUMMER ON SAG HARBOR as well as the memoir I AM THESE TRUTHS. In the third installment in her NYT-bestselling series, Sunny transports readers to the gleaming shores of Maryland’s Highland Beach in a story that celebrates family, friendship, and community and reminds us of the importance of the legacies of our collective past and of finding one’s way in the world. According to Booklist, “Hostin has penned another deliciously soapy beach read about elite Black beach communities” and we are so excited to talk to her about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Patti Callahan Henry are joined in a luminous conversation with novelist Armando Lucas Correa about his atmospheric new novel, The Night Travelers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are thrilled to welcome back award-winning and USA Today bestselling author Sonali Dev. Dubbed by Shelf Awareness as “not only one of the best but one of the bravest romance novelists working today,” Sonali writes Bollywood-style love stories that explore universal issues. She joins us to discuss the hilarious and heartfelt THE VIBRANT YEARS, which was the first novel to be published by Mindy’s Book Studio, the new Amazon Publishing imprint of Emmy-nominated actress, comedian, writer, and producer, Mindy Kaling. We talk to Sonali all about how she manifested her working relationship with Mindy using a vision board to realize her biggest professional dream. We also discuss her choice to focus on a mother-in-law relationship over a standard mother/daughter dynamic, how she imbues her older characters with joy and vibrancy, and her shift with this book away from writing re-tellings of classics. The full crew also discusses books of theirs and favorites by other authors that offer up the perfect escape without leaving your armchair. Tune in for lots of laughs, warmth and honest insights. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK On our first episode of 2023, Ron and Kristy Woodson Harvey welcome Maghon Taylor Entepreneur, Best-Selling Author and founder of All She Wrote Notes. Maghon's infectious mission to spread happiness is so bright and inspiring- it's the perfect conversation to start the New Year! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the premiere episode of our Winter 2023 season, the Fab Four welcome the amazing Mary Kubica! Mary Kubica is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of many suspense novels, including THE GOOD GIRL, WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT, THE OTHER MRS. and LOCAL WOMAN MISSING. She joins us to talk about her highly anticipated new thriller, JUST THE NICEST COUPLE (coming January 10th from Park Row Books) which has been called “unputdownable” by Sally Hepworth and “riveting” by Laura Dave. Stick around for the after show to meet All My Children actress, turned Miramax Films story editor, turned novelist, Deborah Goodrich Royce. When not restoring and revitalizing historic hotels, theaters and main streets with her husband Chuck, she pens thrillers that examine puzzles of identity. On tnhis episode, we hear about her latest REEF ROAD, coming Jan 10th from Post Hill Press. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK- Our year-end episode features Brenda Gardner & Llsa Harrison, hosts of the beloved and Zibby Award winning Friends and Fiction Official Book Club with Brenda and Lisa. This dynamic duo, affectionately known as P.B. & J, talk about their backgrounds, how the book club began and a glimpse behind the curtain of how it's run along with what to look forward to in 2023!! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK- Ron is joined by the Fab 4, along with Meg Walker and Shaun Hettinger for a special holiday edition of the popular "Ask Us Anything" Hilarity ensues..... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK Paige Crutcher joins Ron and Patti Callahan Henry to talk about her upcoming book, The Lost Witch. This deep dive into her writing process is a wonderful exploration of storytelling development of ideas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tune in for a festive show as we welcome two of the F&F community's most beloved authors — Debbie Macomber & Viola Shipman — for our season finale and our holiday special. We are always happy to spend time with our dear friend, the #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber who is one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide and who has spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. The crew talks with Debbie all about her latest Christmas novel (her 25th!), THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT, as well as DEBBIE MACOMBER’S HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS COLORING BOOK, her recent travels, and how she called off her retirement from writing. We are also joined by our good pal, USA Today and internationally bestselling author Wade Rouse, who is a real fan favorite among our F&F members. Wade chose his grandmother’s name, Viola Shipman, as a pen name to honor the woman whose heirlooms and family stories inspire his fiction. We speak with him about his latest novel, A WISH FOR WINTER, how his homes near Lake Michigan and in Palm Springs affect his writing life, his inspirations for his work, and what's on tap for next year. The crew also engages in a fun holiday-themed lightning round where they talk about favorite Christmas movies, songs, decorations, and traditions.Take a break from the hustle bustle, pour yourself a festive holiday cocktail, and join us for warm, bookish chat and lots of laughs on our last show of the season! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK Listeners will be re-introduced to this interview Ron conducted earlier in the year with this year's winner of the Barnes and Noble Book of the Year, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Enjoy the discussion of how Bonnie became a best-selling debut author in her 60's and created this book that is showing up on Best of the Year lists world wide! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, we're thrilled and honored to welcome the incomparable Louise Penny! As a bonus treat we are joined by Rae Meadows on the After Show. Louise Penny is the author of the #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Globe and Mail bestselling series of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels, and coauthor with Hillary Rodham Clinton of the #1 New York Times bestselling thriller, State of Terror. Louise joins us to discuss her latest novel, A WORLD OF CURIOSITIES, the 18th book in her Gamache series which devuted at #1 on the NYT bestsller list in its first week out. You won't want to miss this warm, enlightening and engaging conversation filled with empathy and wisdom where we talk all about Louise's background, writing process, inspiration, and about seeing THREE PINES come to life in the newly released Amazon Prime adaptation starring Alfred Molina as Inspector Gamache. On the After Show meet Rae Meadows who discusses her new novel — the IndieNext pick, GMA Buzz Pick, and critically acclaimed WINTERLAND — which shines a light on three generations of Russian women behind the Iron Curtain, including a young girl selected for the famed 1970’s-era USSR gymnastics program. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Mary Kay Andrews & Kristy Woodson Harvey welcome the bestselling, award-winning novelist Steven Rowley to discuss THE GUNCLE ABROAD, the long-awaited sequel to a beloved story, all about the complicated bonds of family, love, and what it takes to rediscover yourself, even at the ripe age of fifty. Steven Rowley is the New York Times bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus, a Washington Post Notable Book; The Editor, an NPR Best Book of the Year; The Guncle, winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor and Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for Novel of the Year; and The Celebrants, a Today Show Read with Jenna book club pick. His fiction has been translated into twenty languages. He joins us from his home in Palm Springs before departing on book tour to tell us all about his highly-anticipated follow-up to his beloved novel in which Patrick O'Hara is called back to his guncle duties, this time for a big family wedding in Italy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron, along with Patti Callahan Henry and Mary Kay Andrews welcomes one of the world’s most respected and sought-after story consultants and writing teachers, John Truby, whose legendary The Anatomy of Story is indispensable to novelists and screenwriters alike. John joins us to discuss his brand-new book, The Anatomy of Genres, a guide to understanding the major genres of the story world—and to do a deep dive into Patti’s and Mary Kay’s latest works in each of their respective genres. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On tonight’s episode, we welcome New York Times bestselling author, Kevin Wilson—plus Sheila Roberts on the After Show! Kevin Wilson is the author of three novels including NOTHING TO SEE HERE, which was a New York Times bestseller and a Read with Jenna book club selection in 2019. Kevin joins us to discuss his latest novel, NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO PANIC, which has been named an Amazon Best Book of November 2022 and a Most Anticipated Book of the season from the Associated Press, Vogue, Esquire, Entertainment Weekly, and USA Today among many other outlets. We talk to Kevin about the incredible origin story of his latest novel, why he's drawn to misfits as characters and to coming of age stories, how art is a catalyst for his narratives, and how his life as a college professor shapes his work. On the After Show we are joined by the USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of fifty books, Sheila Roberts to discuss her new novel, THE ROAD TO CHRISTMAS about three generations of travelers who embark on a Christmas road trip in the snowy mountains of Washington State. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Patti Callahan Henry speak with Reyna Grande about her sweeping and powerful historical fiction novel, A Ballad of Love and Glory. This conversation delves into Reyna's beginnings as a writer and her path to becoming a a strong immigrant voice in literature. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices