The Best of Women's Fiction

Pushcart Prize nominee, Sheryl J. Bize-Boutte chats about her novel, Betrayal on the Bayou. Sheryl is a multidisciplinary writer whose work, while great storytelling, also gets across deeper meaning about the politics and economics of race.  Connect with Sheryl and learn more about her books at www.sheryljbize-boutte.com or on Twitter @bizebos Snag your copy of Betrayal on the Bayou on bookshop.org  Find all of books featured on the podcast at Lainey’s Recommended Reads. Full video episodes at www.bestofwomensfiction.com

Maddie Dawson chats about her latest release, The Magic of Found Objects, which is already an Amazon # 1 bestseller in women’s friendship and humorous fiction, and has 1700+ great reviews, plus she has great advice for writers. Connect with Maddie and learn more about her books at www.maddiedawson.com or on Instagram @maddiedaws Find your copy of The Magic of Found Objects on bookshop.org or on Amazon. All episodes at www.bestofwomensfiction.com

C. D’Angelo shares her debut novel, The Difference, about protagonist Rachel Granza who delves into her Italian American heritage as a way to find her confidence in the future. We chat about the source of C D'Angelo's inspiration which actually started with the centennial of the Titanic sinking. Also, the seemingly never-ending task of editing and revising a novel, and what changed in this one as it evolved. Connect with C D'Angelo and learn more about her books at www.cdangeloauthor.com or on Instagram @c.dangelo.author Find your copy of The Difference.  All episodes at www.bestofwomensfiction.com

Anisha Bhatia shares the inspiration behind her witty and fabulous debut novel called The Rules of Arrangement in the US, and What Are We Doing About Zoya? in the UK , Australia and around the world.   This is a perfect book if you’re a fan of Bridget Jones or books that take you inside a character's head or to a potentially new culture and location. A laugh out loud comedy of manners set in Mumbai, India, with a satirical take on India’s obsession with marriage and body image.  Connect with Anisha and learn more about her books at www.anishabhatia.com or on Instagram @anisha.bhatia.author Find The Rules of Arrangement on bookshop.org All episodes at www.bestofwomensfiction.com

Kristin Contino chat about her new release, A House Full of Windsor, which reviewers are calling nostalgic, charming, and full of family drama.  Find A House of Windsor on bookshop.org and the two novels Kristin recommends When We're Thirty by Casey Dembowski and Once Upon A Royal Summer by Teri Wilson. Connect with Kristin and learn more about her books at www.kristincontino.com or on Instagram @royallykristinc.  And find Lainey's award-winning book, The Exit Strategy on sale here. Also mentioned; Royally Good Reads Book Club on Facebook and Women's Fiction Writers Association. All episodes at www.bestofwomensfiction.com

Lyn Liao Butler shares the inspiration behind her debut novel, The Tiger Mom's Tale, a book which takes us to Taiwan. It already achieved a coveted starred review from Publishers Weekly, who call the novel “riveting” and say it “breathes new zesty life into women’s fiction”.  We chat about the concept of “own voices” and cultural representation, and Lyn's writing advice. Find The Tiger Mom's Tale on bookshop.org. Connect with Lyn and learn more about her books at www.lynliaobutler.com or on Instagram @lynliaobutler And find Lainey's award-winning book, The Exit Strategy on sale here. All episodes at www.bestofwomensfiction.com

Joyce Yarrow joins Lainey on the release of her fifth novel, Sandstorm, to chat about how the novel was inspired by her childhood in the Bronx, the shaky line between law-abiding and not, and her best writing advice. Find Sandstorm and Joyce's other novels on bookshop.org as well as the new read she recommends (releasing late July), The Wilderness Between Us by Penny Haw. Connect with Joyce and learn more about her books at www.joyceyarrow.com or on Instagram @joyceyarrrowauthor And find Lainey's award-winning book, The Exit Strategy on sale here. Find all episodes at www.bestofwomensfiction.com

Lea Geller dishes on the inspiration behind her latest romp of a novel, The Truth and Other Hidden Things, about Bells Walker, an “older” pregnant woman in her forties who inadvertently becomes a gossip columnist in her new town in the Hudson Valley. Find The Truth and Other Hidden Things on bookshop.org as well as the books Lea recommends; Sunshine Girl by Julianna Margulies, Brat by Andrew McCarthy and she’s excited to start A Special Place for Women by Laura Hankin. Connect with Lea  and learn more about her books at www.leageller.com or on Instagram @leagellerauthor Find all episodes at www.bestofwomensfiction.com

Joanne Kukanza Easley chats about the inspiration behind her debut novel, Sweet Jane, which swept up awards, winning 12 in total! The episode starts with an interview I recorded with Joanne last year, and then I invite her back to update us on her latest release, Just One Look. Find both of Joanne's novels Sweet Jane, and Just One Look on bookshop.org. Connect with Joanne and learn more about her books at www.joanneeasleyauthor.com or on Instagram @joanneeasleywriter. Find all episodes at www.bestofwomensfiction.com

Grace Sammon chats about her debut novel, The Eves, a study on the power of women’s friendship and how the stories we carry affect those around us. Grace shares her inspiration, book recommendations, and a sneak peek at her fun upcoming project! Find The Eves on bookshop.org as well as the novels Grace Sammon recommends; The Exit Strategy by Lainey Cameron and The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson. Connect with Grace and learn more about her books at www.gracesammon.net or on Instagram @gracesammonwrites Find all episodes at www.bestofwomensfiction.com

Margaret Ann Spence talks about her latest release, JOYOUS LIES, a women’s fiction novel with a good dose of mystery. Secrets from the past abound, set to the backdrop of what happened decades ago in a Northern California commune. Find Joyous Lies on bookshop.org as well as the novels Margaret Ann recommends; Queen of the Owls by Barbara Linn Probst and The Ones We Choose by Julie Clark. Connect with Margaret Ann and learn more about her books at www.margaretannspence.com or on Instagram @margaret_ann_spence Find all episodes at www.bestofwomensfiction.com

Jessica Strawser talks about her latest release, A Million Reasons Why, which was named a most anticipated book by Goodreads, SheReads. E! News. and Frolic as well as being chosen for Booktrib's 10 Books by Women to Read this Spring. Find A Million Reasons Why on bookshop.org as well as the top novel she recommends; The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley. Connect with Jessica and learn more about her books at www.jessicastrawser.com or on Instagram @jessicastrawserauthor. All the deets on Lainey's special offers for Women's Fiction Day, coming on June 8th. Find all episodes at www.bestofwomensfiction.com

Bette Lee Crosby writes Southern fiction that touches the heart. Lainey and Bette chat about how you can be guaranteed a happy ending in her books, writing advice and the real-life family inspiration for Bette's latest novel, When I Last Saw You. Find When I Last Saw You on bookshop.org as well as the novels she recommends; The Truth and Other Hidden Things by Lea Geller and The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels. Connect with Bette and learn more about her books at www.betteleecrosby.com or on Instagram @betteleecrosby And we'd love if you joined us on Facebook where we are both hosts of the Blue Sky Book Chat Group.  All the deets on Women's Fiction Day, coming on June 8th at www.womensfictionwriters.org Find all episodes at www.bestofwomensfiction.com

Carol chats with us about Goodbye Orchid, her novel which was inspired by combat wounded veterans. The book has been racking up awards. including being named a 2021 Book Excellence winner, and a finalist in the CHATELAINE Book Awards that recognizes outstanding work and new talent in Romantic Fiction and Women’s Fiction. Carol is donating a portion of the book's profits to the Heather Abbott Foundation and USA Cares. Find Goodbye Orchid on bookshop.org as well as the novel Carol recommends; The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab. Connect with Carol and learn more about her books at www.carolvandenhende.com, her Linktree: linktr.ee/cvdh or on Instagram @carolvandenhende Find all episodes at www.bestofwomensfiction.com

Kathleen Basi shares her inspiration her debut novel, A Song for The Road, which began as a dream that contained both grief and beauty. And she chats about the special relationship between music and writing, which led to Kathleen writing such a novel with such breathtakingly lyrical language. Find A Song for the Road on bookshop.org as well as the books Kathleen recommends; The Rules of Arrangement by Anisha Bhatia, Sanditon by Jane Austen, and Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi. Connect with Kathleen and learn more about her books at www.kathleenbasi.com or on Instagram @kathleenbasi Find all episodes at www.bestofwomensfiction.com