The Best of Women's Fiction

In this episode, Heather Webb shares the real-life stories of people passing through Ellis Island, as well as the historical backdrop of the time that inspired her latest novel THE NEXT SHIP HOME. We also chat about Heather’s reading world which transitioned into us sharing some of our favorite con-artist television shows. She also shares the best advice she has for aspiring authors. Find the books recommended, the author's social media links, and the video version of this episode at www.BestofWomensFiction.com All books featured on the podcast are listed in The Best of Women's Fiction List at www.bookshop.org and amazon.com Ashley’s author website: www.AshleyHasty.com

Veena Rao shares the inspiration behind her novel, Purple Lotus, the winner in the 2021 American Fiction Awards (multi-cultural category). A tale of an immigrant who comes to Atlanta through marriage, the novel has been described as  a "dazzling tale of an Indian-American woman finding her way through the labyrinth of tradition to self-awareness in the modern world" (Elaine Neil Orr, author of Swimming Between Worlds). Touching on issues of domestic abuse, shame, and balancing family and cultural obligations with choosing ourselves, Purple Lotus is a page-turning story that takes the reader from India to the US and back. It was selected as one of Travel + Leisure’s "20 Most-anticipated Books for Fall" and Veena was selected as a finalist in the Georgia Author of the Year award and the International Book Awards.  All books featured on the podcast are listed in The Best of Women's Fiction List at www.bookshop.org and amazon.com Lainey's author website: www.LaineyCameron.com

In this episode Denny S. Bryce chats about her latest novel, IN THE FACE OF THE SUN, as well as the four books she’s currently in the process of writing. We dive into her research, the inspiration behind the title and the story, as well as the writing advice that I especially needed to hear this week. Described as “The best kind of historical novel: immersive, mysterious and evocative,” by Ms. Magazine, Denny also tells us about some of the real-life people that inspired her fictional characters. Find the books recommended, the author's social media links, and the video version of this episode at www.BestofWomensFiction.com All books featured on the podcast are listed in The Best of Women's Fiction List at www.bookshop.org and amazon.com Ashley’s author website: www.AshleyHasty.com

Award-winning author, Laura Drake introduces us to her newest novel, The Road to Me, which has been described as “an unforgettable story of self-discovery and survival, reconciliation and redemption.” (bestselling author, Barbara Claypole White).  Laura Drake's first novel, The Sweet Spot, was a double-finalist and then won the 2014 Romance Writers of America® RITA® award. She's since published 11 more novels in both romance and women’s fiction.  In The Road to Me, Jacqueline Oliver gets a call about her hippie grandma, and drops everything to travel to Arizona. They end up on a unique and healing grandmother - granddaughter road trip. Find the books recommended, the author's social media links, and the video version of this episode at www.BestofWomensFiction.com All books featured on the podcast are listed in The Best of Women's Fiction List at www.bookshop.org Lainey's author website: www.LaineyCameron.com

Kimberly Brock shares the inspiration behind The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare, a novel described as “complex, compelling, and beautifully crafted” by William Kent Kreuger, New York Times bestselling author. In this episode Kimberly Brock tells us what caused her to cry during her research phase, when I asked her for her best advice for her fellow authors she gave the most accurate description of what it is like to be a writer that I’ve ever heard, and she gives a long list of her must-read, favorite books. Find the books recommended, the author's social media links, and the video version of this episode at www.BestofWomensFiction.com All books featured on the podcast are listed in The Best of Women's Fiction List at www.bookshop.org and amazon.com Ashley’s author website: www.AshleyHasty.com

Elissa Grosell Dickey shares the inspiration behind The Speed of Light, a novel described as “a gripping page-turner, infused with a compassionate and insightful look at chronic illness.” She shares her real life experience that led to writing a character recently diagnosed with MS, and a sneak peek of her second novel, Iris in the Dark, which releases in June.  Find the books recommended, the author's social media links, and the video version of this episode at www.BestofWomensFiction.com All books featured on the podcast are listed in The Best of Women's Fiction List at www.bookshop.org Lainey's author website: www.LaineyCameron.com

Kristy Woodson Harvey shares the inspiration for The Wedding Veil, her latest novel about four women and how a family heirloom connects them. We chat about how Kristy serendipitously found inspiration from her own wedding veil as well as a fateful visit to the Biltmore mansion. She also shares her best writing advice, what it was like researching during the pandemic, and a few of her current favorite reads. Sign up for our email list so you never miss an episode! (PLUS we do a book giveaway every month for newsletter subscribers - you can choose from any of our featured authors if you win!) https://www.bestofwomensfiction.com/ Subscribe & listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2YOFlas Subscribe & listen on Apple: https://apple.co/3DBy9gJ My author website: https://www.ashleyhasty.com/ My blog: https://www.hastybooklist.com/ The Best of Women's Fiction podcast started from the desire to connect authors with more readers, and vice versa!

A special episode featuring six exciting women’s fiction debuts from the first half of 2022! Each of our six authors shares a little about their novel, their inspiration, and their best writing advice. Maggie Giles author of The Things We Lost / Melanie Mitzner author of Slow Reveal / J. Marie Rundquist author of All I'm Asking / Shauna Robinson author of  Must Love Books / Lisa Roe author of Welcome to the Neighborhood / Sandra L. Young author of Divine Vintage Find these novels, the author's social media links, and the video version of this episode at www.BestofWomensFiction.com All books featured on the podcast are listed in The Best of Women's Fiction List at www.bookshop.org

Elise Hooper and Ashley Hasty talk about Angels of the Pacific, which New York Times bestselling author Lauren Willig described as "Absolutely riveting. A stay-up-all night read about two very different women who discover just how strong they can be—and just how much they'll dare—during the brutal Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II. This story of endurance and sisterhood will have you turning pages late into the night." Elise talks about her research trip to the Philippines in February of 2020, how this book ended up being perfect for the times, and how her next novel is very much in response to the pandemic. She also shares some of her favorite books and writing advice for her fellow authors. Find the books recommended, the author's social media links, and the video version of this episode at www.BestofWomensFiction.com All books featured on the podcast can be purchased through the Best of Women's Fiction Amazon list or through Lainey's recommended reads at www.bookshop.org.

Maggie Smith shares the inspiration behind her debut novel, Truth and Other Lies, which has been described as “twisty, timely, and rivetingly thought-provoking.” The story brings together three women whose lives converge as one fights a devastating accusation, another campaigns for a contested seat in Congress, and one, a young reporter with ties to both, navigates the tricky line between secrets and lies. Find the books recommended, the author's social media links, and the video version of this episode at www.BestofWomensFiction.com All books featured on the podcast are listed in The Best of Women's Fiction List at www.bookshop.org

Adele Myers chats about her debut novel, The Tobacco Wives, which Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author described as, "a story of courage, of women willing to take a stand in the face of corporate greed, and most definitely a tale for our times.” She also shares her advice for writers who have not yet been published, the books that Influenced her, and family objects that inspired the novel. Find the books recommended, the author's social media links, and the video version of this episode at www.BestofWomensFiction.com All books featured on the podcast are listed in The Best of Women's Fiction List at www.bookshop.org or on Amazon.com.

Award-winning author, Lisa Barr, shares the inspiration for her latest release. Woman on Fire is the story of a young journalist who gets embroiled in a dangerous international art scandal centered around a Nazi looted masterpiece. We chat about how Lisa found inspiration for a fabulous character like journalist Jules Roth. Plus why Lisa's focus on stolen art, and how some of the story draws from real life headlines. Also why she has been able to successfully cross genres, what she’s learned from that, and great writing advice. Find the books recommended, the author's social media links, and the video version of this episode at www.BestofWomensFiction.com All books featured on the podcast are listed in The Best of Women's Fiction List at www.bookshop.org

Diana Giovinazzo and Ashley Hasty talk about Antoinette's Sister, which USA Bestselling author Heather Webb calls "A sweeping tale of power, love, and the bonds of family...” We chat about how Diana first learned about her protagonist, Maria Carolina Charlotte, and how her family history led her to write in the first place. She also shares her journey to publication, her best writing advice, and what books she recommends right now. Find the books recommended, the author's social media links, and the video version of this episode at www.BestofWomensFiction.com All books featured on the podcast can be purchased through the Best of Women's Fiction Amazon list or through Lainey's recommended reads at www.bookshop.org.

Nikki May joins us from the UK to chat about her debut novel, Wahala, which was named a most anticipated book of 2022 by Vogue, Marie Claire, Glamour, Essence, and more. Wahala, which means trouble, follows three Anglo-Nigerian best friends and the lethally glamorous fourth woman who infiltrates their group. Find the books recommended, the author's social media links, and the video version of this episode at www.BestofWomensFiction.com All books featured on the podcast are listed in The Best of Women's Fiction List at www.bookshop.org

Fiona Davis is a New York Times bestselling author whose works of historical fiction featuring iconic buildings in New York City have been selected as a Good Morning America book club pick and chosen as “One Book, One Community” reads. She talks about her latest novel, The Magnolia Palace, which is set at the Frick Mansion. The novel is written as a dual timeline, alternating between 1919 and the late 1960s. Fiona shares how this book differs from her previous novels, as well as book recommendations and her best writing advice. Find the books recommended, the author's social media links, and the video version of this episode at www.BestofWomensFiction.com All books featured on the podcast can be purchased through the Best of Women's Fiction Amazon list or through Lainey's recommended reads at www.bookshop.org.