The Best of Women's Fiction

Latest Episodes:

*Special Episode* (June) Hot New Releases! Jun 14, 2023

Show notes

In our last episode of this season, we feature four exciting new novels, all releases from our past guests. We showcase new historical fiction from Erin Litteken and KD Allbaugh, set in Ukraine and rural Wisconsin. Plus, two upcoming novels - new contemporary fiction in a poignant sister story from author Jamie Beck (coming in July) and a preview of an upcoming thriller from Maggie Giles, releasing in September (both available now to pre-order).

* The Beauty of Rain by Jamie Beck

* The Lost Daughters of Ukraine by Erin Litteken

* Borgia Rose by KD Allbaugh

* Twisted by Maggie Giles

Find 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

Lainey's author website: ⁠⁠⁠www.LaineyCameron.com

Chanel Cleeton, New York Times Bestselling author of The Cuban Heiress Jun 10, 2023

Show notes

NYT and USA TODAY bestselling author Chanel Cleeton is the author of many superb novels including Next Year in Havana, When We Left Cuba, The Last Train to Key West, and more. Her latest release, The Cuban Heiress, follows two women in 1934 with secrets. They set sail aboard the Morro Castle—a luxury cruise liner that sailed between New York and Havana.

Chanel shares her inspiration for a story described by prior guest, Madeline Martin as “a delicious slice of vengeance as two women risk everything for justice.”

Find the recommended books, 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

Lainey's author website: ⁠www.LaineyCameron.com

*Special Episode* Women’s Fiction Day 2023 Jun 07, 2023

Show notes

For Women’s Fiction Day 2023, a discussion that tackles the difficult questions surrounding the term “women’s fiction”. With host Lainey Cameron and guests Charlotte Dune, Maggie Smith, Paulette Stout, and author and book coach Kathryn Dodson.

In a world recognizing a wide gender spectrum, and after Publishers Marketplace dropped the term, does a gender specific genre like women’s fiction still make sense? Plus, don’t miss our giveaway from the podcast for Women’s Fiction Day.

Our panel discusses where they see the women’s fiction label going forward and why an author may (or may not) wish to position their writing within the women’s fiction genre Plus, these award-winning authors, each part of the weekly Writer Support Group hosted by Lainey and Charlotte Dune, have expert advice to share ––how to choose what to write, find your process, and understanding the importance of genre as a promise of value to readers.

Find the books mentioned, the authors' 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

Lainey's author website: ⁠⁠www.LaineyCameron.com

Micki Berthelot Morency, author of Island Sisters Jun 03, 2023

Show notes

Micki Berthelot Morency shares the inspiration behind her debut novel, The Island Sisters. A story about four women from Haiti, St. Thomas, and Guam whose fates are bound together by culture, history, and most importantly, by a deep and irrevocable friendship.

The novel is told from alternating perspectives of each friend and delves into an important topic of domestic abuse.A novel that Lainey Cameron in her own review called emotional, thought-provoking, poignant, and a tribute to friendship, and women’s strength to overcome.

Find the recommended books, 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

Lainey's author website: ⁠www.LaineyCameron.com

Diane Marie Brown, author of Black Candle Women May 27, 2023

Show notes

Diane Marie Brown talks about her historical novel, Black Candle Women, recently named as “A Read with Jenna Book Club Pick as Seen on the Today Show.” Jenna Bush Hager says, “If you like Practical Magic… you will love Black Candle Women.”

We dive into what inspired Diane Marie Brown to write this particular story and how her own family history inspired the book. In addition, Diane Marie Brown shares great advice for writers, the best books she’s read lately, and how she went about researching for the book.

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

*Special Episode* Hot New (May) Releases! May 24, 2023

Show notes

Our second episode featuring Hot New Releases from our past guests. This time we’re highlighting new books that released in the month of May. We'll introduce you to new historical fiction from Linda Rosen, an exciting new book club novel by Laura Hankin, and a thriller from Regina Buttner.

The Emerald Necklace, like Linda Rosen’s prior work, features a unique piece of jewelry, behind which lies a mystery. A generational story about envy and jealousy, friendship, and family, set between 1969-1971 when women were fighting for equality.

The Daydreams by Laura Hankin is new book club fiction. A deliciously entertaining novel about the stars of a popular teen show from the early 2000s—and the reunion special, thirteen years after their scandalous flameout.

With Down a Bad Road, Regina Buttner made a leap into the exciting world of domestic thrillers and suspense. She was raised in Upstate New York and spent many years exploring the small towns and back roads of the Adirondack mountain region in which her new book is set.

Find the recommended books, 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

Lainey's author website: ⁠⁠www.LaineyCameron.com

Joani Elliott, STAR Award Winner & author of The Audacity of Sara Grayson May 20, 2023

Show notes

Joani Eliott's novel, The Audacity of Sara Grayson was last year’s winner of Women’s Fiction Writers Association STAR award in the debut category, in addition to winning the Whitney awards in debut novel of the year and general fiction categories.

Joani shares the inspiration behind a novel writers and creatives have been raving about, and which reviewers call “witty, funny and delightful”.

Find the recommended books, 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

Lainey's author website: ⁠⁠www.LaineyCameron.com

Shaunna J. Edwards & Alyson Richman, authors of The Thread Collectors May 13, 2023

Show notes

Debut novelist Shaunna J. Edwards & USA Today bestselling Alyson Richman talk about their historical novel, The Thread Collectors, loosely inspired by their own family histories. With Ashley, they discuss their enduring friendship, how they came to be co-writers, and what it was like to transition from friends to colleagues.

In addition, they each share great advice for writers, the best books she’s read lately, and their research process.

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

Debra Thomas, Award-winning author of Luz, and Josie and Vic May 06, 2023

Show notes

Debra Thomas' first novel, Luz, won several awards including the Sarton Award for contemporary fiction. Her second novel, Josie and Vic just released. A brother and sister story of love, loss, and forgiveness, it's been described as "an unforgettable, heart-filled, heart-filling novel”. Debra shares her inspiration, more on that outstanding cover design, her best writing advice, and several book recommendations. Find the recommended books, 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 Lainey's author website: ⁠⁠www.LaineyCameron.com

Brenda Janowitz, author of The Audrey Hepburn Estate Apr 29, 2023

Show notes

Brenda Janowitz talks about her latest historical novel, The Audrey Hepburn Estate, about a love triangle and the estate where it took place, inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s tendency to be a homebody. This is the third novel in what Ashley lovingly refers to as Brenda’s novels about starlets and the things they own.

In addition, Brenda shares great advice for writers, the best books she’s read lately, and what inspired this particular story.

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