The Fresh Fiction Podcast

Bestselling author Jayne Castle joins Fresh Fiction's Podcast to talk about ENTER THE NIGHTMARE, book nineteen in her Harmony series. She traces the real government psychic research that inspired her world building, introduces Sebastian, the reader-made dust bunny that inspired her mascot, and shares stories from a Cotswolds hiking trip with fellow authors Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Christina Dodd. Jayne also talks about writing under three names, why she never reuses the same hero and heroine, and what is coming next in her Psychic Dog series.

Romance author Amy Award joins Samantha Tennant to talk about THE COCKY KINGMANS, her football-playing family of brothers, and why every heroine, no matter her size, deserves a happy ending.

Four award-winning authors — Nina Crespo, Misty Urban, Carrie Schaffer, and Debra Parmley — join host Samantha Tennant to pick their best summer reads, talk travel tropes, and reveal what makes their characters impossible to put down.

USA Today bestselling author Sheila Roberts joins Fresh Fiction's Samantha Tennant to talk about her latest novel, Love on the Shelf — a bookshop-set enemies-to-lovers story that's anything but your typical rom-com. Sheila opens up about the real cultural moment that inspired Parker Black (yes, the man everyone loves to hate), why she believes love always wins, and how the romance genre is finally getting the respect it deserves. Plus, Fresh Fiction Facts — from bug collecting to designer purse opinions to the book that made her feel like a rock star. If you love women's fiction, booktok, and romance that makes you think, this one's for you.

Samantha Tennant sits down with Andrea Hairston — novelist, playwright, Afrofuturist, and self-described "scientist, artiste, and hoodoo conjurer" — to talk about her latest novel, THE REDEMPTION CENTER IS CLOSED ON SUNDAYS, a genre-defying extra-dimensional murder mystery anchored by a Saint Bernardoodle dog detective named Una. Andrea draws on her decades in theater — as director, playwright, and professor — to explain how she weaves mystery, romance, and science fiction into a single story without losing the thread of any of them. She talks about using the dog as a pivot point: Una doesn't recognize genre, she just knows the people she loves, which turns out to be the perfect lens for a story that spans dimensions. The conversation moves into Andrea's background shift from mathematics and physics to theater (with a detour through lighting design and Ohm's Law), her long-standing research into animal cognition and dog behavior, and what Afrofuturism actually means in practice — not predicting the future, but understanding the present deeply enough to make real choices about what comes next. She uses Harriet Tubman and Einstein as parallel examples of people who imagined their way to something that didn't exist yet. The Fresh Fiction Facts segment reveals she owns a "ridiculous" number of DVDs (including every Star Trek series), that she'd rather visit the future than the past, and that her most dog-eared books are Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower, anything by Ursula Le Guin, and Momo by Michael Ende — which she re-reads in German. Andrea closes with a peek at her work-in-progress: QUEEN FOR TODAY, a secondary world fantasy about a carnival queen of misrule whose single day of reign changes everything.

Samantha Tennant sits down with New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Mary Ellen Taylor to talk about her newest women's fiction novel, The Sky Beneath Her. Set on North Carolina's Outer Banks — nicknamed the Graveyard of the Atlantic — the book weaves between 1942, when a ship full of desperate passengers crosses U-boat-patrolled waters knowing they may not survive, and the present day, where a scuba diver who lost her mother at sea is finally forced to return to the water. Mary Ellen opens up about the history book that sparked the story, why she signed up for surf camp in her 50s, her seven-draft process, and the revelation that arrived mid-cookie-bake. She also teases her next book — a California-set story rooted in the early 1970s — and shares that The Sky Beneath Her is the June Amazon First Reads pick (free for Prime members, $1.99 for everyone else).

Bestselling Regency and Victorian romance author Kathleen Ayers joins Samantha Tennant to talk about leaving a 30-year career in media sales to follow a dare from her best friend — and ending up with a romance career she never saw coming. Kathleen shares how classic gateway novels like SWEET SAVAGE LOVE and THIS LOVING TORMENT shaped her love of historical fiction, why morally gray men are still the most irresistible heroes in any era, and what it was really like to write alongside authors like Cathy Maxwell and Jenna MacGregor for the Busty Bodice Club anthology. She also opens up about her process as a self-described pantser, the one fictional character who refused to stop talking to her, and why she will never apologize for being an unapologetic Ruby Dixon super-fan. Plus: Buc-ee's Beaver Nuggets, Nine Inch Nails concert tees, and the mysterious ancestor named Barbara who just disappeared from the family records.

Ivy Cassidy — national bestselling author of more than 40 novels — joins Samantha Tennant to talk about her most ambitious book yet: House of Spells and Secrets, a sweeping historical fantasy rooted in the real legend of Biddy Early, the last woman tried for witchcraft in Ireland. Ivy shares how she balanced research with storytelling, why she set the book in 1971, and what it finally felt like to write completely outside genre rules. Plus: Fresh Fiction Facts, pen name Easter eggs, and a tribute to a beloved voice in the book community, Piper J. Drake.

The line that launched the entire Orphan X series — and Gregg Hurwitz joined us on the Fresh Fiction Video Book Club to talk about what it means, 12 books in. From mind control cult research to his debut novella The Delivery, this is a conversation you don't want to miss. Link in bio.

Janna MacGregor joins Samantha Tennant to discuss her story in the Busty Bodice Club anthology, The Curves for the Secret Duke — a Regency romance with fake marriage, friends to lovers, and a secret-duke twist she rewrote from the ground up. They also talk about the anthology's collaborative process, writing full-figured heroines in the Regency era, and how Janna's legal training shaped her approach to craft.

200: 14 Readers, 40+ Books, and One Missing CIA Novelist Episode 200 of the Fresh Fiction Podcast is here.  200 episodes. Evolving from chat, to film and television, to books and authors. Hundreds of author conversations. Thousands of book recommendations. And one community that shows up, week after week, for the love of reading.  Thank you for being part of this. Here’s to the next 200.  → freshfiction.com/newsletters.php

Julianne MacLean has been writing heartbreak and hope for 25 years — and she's just getting started. Host Samantha Tennant sits down with the USA Today bestselling author of What Tomorrow Will Be to talk about first loves, falling down and getting back up, and a brand-new chapter she wasn't supposed to announce yet. Plus Jane Eyre, Skittles, and a rescue dog named Rosie.

What happens when three celebrities land in the same ultra-exclusive rehab — and someone ends up dead? That's the opening of Such Sheltered Lives, the electric adult debut from New York Times bestselling author Alyssa Sheinmel. Host Samantha Tennant sits down with Alyssa for a wide-ranging conversation about the leap from YA to adult fiction, the joys and challenges of writing multiple narrators, and how she crafts twists that feel both surprising and inevitable on the second read. They also dig into Alyssa's fascinating work as a collaborative and ghost writer — including her official novels for Umbrella Academy, Outer Banks, and The Haunting of Sunshine Girl — and what it means to inhabit characters you didn't create. Plus: Fresh Fiction Facts, dream casting, and a very strong case for Birkenstock clogs.

Romance author Annabelle Anders joins Samantha Tennant to talk about her unlikely path to publishing, the Regency series that almost never was, and why she finally wrote the curvy heroine she had long avoided — and what that choice taught her about herself.

Candace Lynn Talmadge didn’t just imagine the Stone Slayer series — she believes she lived it. A former business journalist turned dark high fantasy author, Candace joins Samantha Tennant on the Fresh Fiction Video Book Club to talk about the obsession that’s driven her since childhood, the literal demon she had to add to her nine-book-and-counting series, and why the fictional society of Asgard feels uncomfortably familiar right now. With four generations of fierce women, 24 planned books, and a story rooted in past-life healing, this is a conversation about what it truly means to be called to write.

USA Today bestselling author Naima Simone joins Samantha Tennant to talk about her journey from writing New Edition fan fiction in seventh grade to crafting some of the most emotionally layered romance series in the genre today. From the beloved Rose Bend small-town series to her boldly dark Huntsman fairytale reimaginings, Naima shares what drives her to write complex, unforgettable characters — and why fear is never a good enough reason to say no to a new creative challenge.

Bestselling author Kirsten Pursell joins Samantha Tennant to talk about THE UNABRIDGED LIFE OF MISSY KINCAID — an emotionally raw, ultimately uplifting novel about a woman who rises from her lowest point. Kirsten opens up about the real heartbreak and grief that shaped Missy's story, why she writes imperfect women who refuse to quit, and what's coming next in the Scarlet's Harlots trilogy.

In this episode of the Fresh Fiction Video Book Club, host Samantha Tennant sits down with award-winning bestselling historical romance author Eliana Piers to talk all things steamy Regency romance—and the bold multi-author series she dreamed up from scratch.

Emmy Award–winning investigative journalist turned thriller novelist Hank Phillippi Ryan joins Fresh Fiction to talk about her USA Today bestselling novel All This Could Be Yours — a spine-tingling thriller set on a book tour from hell. Hank reveals her unique 'discovery writing' process, what it's like to write 20 novels without an outline, and why she considers every reader a partner in bringing a story to life. A must-listen for fans of suspense, storytelling craft, and strong women who fight back.

Carolyn Dasher joins Fresh Fiction to discuss AMERICAN SKY, her debut historical novel inspired by the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II. In this episode, she shares the real history behind these groundbreaking female pilots, the emotional cost of their post-war dismissal, and how she crafted a multi-generational story spanning WWII and Vietnam. A must-listen for fans of historical fiction, women’s history, and powerful mother-daughter narratives.

Author Liz Alterman on psychological thrillers, writing across genres, surviving rejection, and why your neighbor might be scarier than any monster.

Audible Hall of Fame narrator Andi Arndt joins Fresh Fiction to discuss audiobook narration, dual vs duet recording, romance audiobook performance, pseudonyms, union contracts (SAG-AFTRA), and what really happens inside the recording booth. With over 700 audiobooks narrated, Andi shares how she physically embodies characters and why listeners trust her voice.

In this episode of the Fresh Fiction Podcast, historical romance authors Cathy Maxwell and Eliana Piers discuss the creation of the Busty Bodice Club—a collaborative Regency romance series celebrating body-positive heroines, creative freedom, and sisterhood. From writing one shared story chapter-by-chapter to publishing independently, this conversation explores how romance authors are reimagining the genre while delivering the escapist love stories readers crave.

What makes a story unforgettable? Sometimes, it’s the place. In this episode of the Fresh Fiction Podcast, bestselling author Heather Graham joins us for a warm, wide-ranging conversation about haunted cities, real history, and the stories that stay with readers long after the book is finished. From Salem and New Orleans to castles, legends, and mysteries, Heather shares how real locations inspire her novels—and why blending history, romance, and suspense keeps readers coming back for more. Perfect for fans of romantic suspense, paranormal thrillers, and immersive storytelling.

Award-winning authors Julie Buxbaum and Adele Griffin—writing together as Taylor Hutton—talk dark romance, creative freedom, and how collaboration brought the fun back to writing.

Bestselling author Abigail Owen joins Fresh Fiction to talk Greek gods, epic trials, cliffhangers, and the series that changed her career.

Brisa Carleton joins Fresh Fiction to talk about LAST CALL AT THE SAVOY, forgotten women in history, and how a Broadway producer became a debut novelist.

In this episode of the Fresh Fiction Podcast, bestselling author Julia London joins us to talk about WHILE IT WAS SNOWING, a holiday romance featuring characters in their fifties navigating love, family, and second chances during a North Texas snowstorm. Julia shares behind-the-scenes insights on writing older protagonists, the realities of publishing during the pandemic, and why Christmas trees belong in every holiday novel.

A heartwarming holiday conversation with bestselling romance author Andrew Grey about THE GIFT OF THE MALTIPOO, writing emotional dog POVs, the evolution of gay romance, cherished Christmas traditions, and the joy of storytelling.

Lucy Connelly—also known as bestselling author Candace Havens—joins Samantha Tennant for a festive conversation about writing Death at a Scottish Christmas, creating holiday mysteries full of Scottish traditions, juggling multiple cozy series, and seeing her Ainsley McGregor books adapted for TV. She also shares her writing rituals, how she comes up with clever murders, and a surprise appearance from her real-life dog, Mr. Poe.

Author Kandy Shepherd joins Samantha Tennant for a warm, funny, deeply charming conversation about Christmas romances, second-chance love, magazine days at Cosmo and Family Circle, writing older heroines, collaborative duets, and why setting matters so much in a great story.

A lively, heartfelt chat with USA Today bestselling author Xio Axelrod, covering her music-industry roots, how fanfiction launched her career, and the inspiration behind her girl-rock-band series The Lilies. Xio opens up about writing by instinct, crafting found-family stories, the music fueling her characters, and even the strangest movie she can’t stop watching. Warm, funny, and creative—this one’s a joy.

Author Terri Reed joins Sara Reyes to talk about TEXAS CHRISTMAS COVER-UP, a holiday romantic suspense filled with mystery, second chances, and a dash of Christmas magic.

Best-selling author Darynda Jones joins Fresh Fiction for a heartwarming and hilarious chat about resilience, creativity, and rediscovering her writing mojo after a life-changing year. From her fan-favorite Charley Davidson and Sunshine Vicram series to her latest Betwixt & Between release, Midnight in Magic, Darynda shares what keeps her inspired—and why laughter really is the best spell.

Bestselling author Kati Wilde joins Samantha Tennant to chat about her epic fantasy series The Dead Lands, her steamy Hellfire Riders motorcycle romances, and her Christmas love stories. She shares how fanfiction shaped her writing career, the story behind her ONLY ONE BED title, and why she made a comic recap of her series using stick figures.

In this episode of the Fresh Fiction Podcast, we sit down with New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Toni Anderson, the mind behind more than 30 romantic thrillers, including her latest release, COLD TRUTH. Toni shares how her background as a marine biologist inspired her to write FBI thrillers filled with authentic detail and emotional depth. Discover how she blends crime, chemistry, and character, why research is key to realism, and what it’s really like to balance love stories with life-or-death stakes. COLD TRUTH follows FBI agent Kurt Montana and librarian Roe as they navigate danger, deception, and undeniable attraction.

Author Hannah Nicole Maehrer, creator of Assistant to the Villain, joins Fresh Fiction’s Samantha Tennant to talk about her whirlwind journey from nannying and filming BookTok skits to becoming a New York Times bestselling author. They dive into the found family theme that runs through her books, her ADHD writing process, the chaos that fuels her creativity, and the joy of seeing her world come to life in plushies and fan merch. Expect laughter, behind-the-scenes confessions, and a few fangirl moments.

Former CIA analyst and bestselling author David McCloskey joins Samantha Tennant from FreshFiction.com to discuss his newest spy thriller, THE PERSIAN. They dive deep into the book’s origins, the shadow war between Israel and Iran, the creative chaos of first drafts, and how real-world geopolitics keep catching up to his fiction. Plus, hear how a Swedish dentist and a Mossad officer inspired one of his most complex stories yet.

Bestselling author Samantha Downing joins us to talk about her latest thriller TOO OLD FOR THIS—a sharp, darkly funny story of a retired serial killer you can’t help but root for.

Bestselling author Charlaine Harris joins Fresh Fiction to talk about True Blood, Aurora Teagarden, Midnight, Texas, and her latest release, THE LAST WIZARDS’ BALL.

Join us for an exclusive interview with Heatherly Bell, bestselling author of THE EX NEXT DOOR and the beloved Charming Texas series. With more than 200,000 books sold, Heatherly takes us behind the scenes of her writing journey—from indie beginnings to Harlequin success. Whether you love small-town romance, second chance love stories, or holiday happily-ever-afters, this conversation is for you.

Bestselling author K.A. Linde joins the Fresh Fiction Podcast to talk about her journey from contemporary romance to fantasy, the rise of romantasy, the research and myths behind The Wren in the Holly Library, and what’s next for her ever-expanding backlist.

What happens when a book you once tucked away in a drawer comes back to life years later—and becomes a deeply emotional duet filled with suspense, family drama, and love that refuses to quit? Today, bestselling author Jennifer Ryan takes us behind the scenes of her bold, emotional duet See Me, Love Me. From hidden manuscripts to stepbrother romance, stalkers, and fireworks in Texas—this is an author interview you don’t want to miss.

What do a K-drama star, a yearning firefighter, and a Jane Austen retelling have in common? Today’s guest, Jayci Lee, reimagines Persuasion in her newest romance Give Me a Reason—and trust me, the angst is delicious. We talk second chances, wine collections, nipple covers (yes, really), and why apple pie and Prosecco are her celebration staples. Plus, she dishes on her upcoming K-spirited fantasy series and navigating publishing with heart and hustle. You do not want to miss this one.

Protective Marines, smart heroines, high-stakes suspense... and dogs with one eye? Yeah, you heard that right. Today on the Fresh Fiction Podcast, bestselling author Julie Miller joins us to talk about Crime Scene K-9, writing on instinct, and the strange things authors Google for research. Oh—and what really happens when she asks her husband to stand still so she can test a fictional stabbing. Stick around—this one’s full of laughs, inspiration, and a whole lot of heart.

On this episode of the Fresh Fiction Podcast, host Samantha Tennant sits down with genre-hopping author Ann Aguirre to talk about her latest sci-fi romantic comedy, I THINK I’M IN LOVE WITH AN ALIEN. From writing steampunk and thrillers to crafting cozy witchy rom-coms, Ann takes us behind the scenes of her creative evolution—and why her books are a safe haven for readers. We dive into fandoms, favorite alien tropes, how she hides Easter eggs for sharp-eyed readers, and what it was like collaborating with the late Rachel Caine. Plus: con culture, neurodiverse representation, and her next big magical project.

On this episode of the Fresh Fiction Podcast, we’re joined by bestselling author Kendra Elliot to chat about her latest suspense novel, HER FIRST MISTAKE—the launch of a brand-new series featuring a fan-favorite character from her Columbia River books. We go behind the scenes of her writing process, discuss world-building across interconnected series, and get the scoop on her longtime creative partnership with Melinda Leigh. Plus: readers vs. plotters, writing thrillers without a plan, and why sometimes you just have to blow something up.

In this lively and heartfelt episode, bestselling author Cathy Maxwell joins us to talk about her latest Regency romance, A TOUCH OF STEELE, and the bold heroines of her Gambler’s Daughters series. We dive deep into her inspiring career—from radio broadcaster to Navy officer to beloved author—and the life decisions that shaped her storytelling. Expect laughs, truth bombs, and lots of romance talk. Cathy shares the story of how romance novels helped her through postpartum depression, why community is essential for writers, and the surprising reason Mr. Steele got his own book (hint: readers demanded it!). Plus, she reveals her go-to road trip snack, favorite bookish reads, and a secret project she’s very excited about. This is one bookish chat you don’t want to miss!

Author Marie Bostwick joins us to chat about The Book Club for Troublesome Women, the power of book clubs, and how one conversation with her mom led to a novel about courage, friendship, and second-wave feminism. Plus, quilting, Hallmark movies, and her pup Showgirl make an appearance!

Bestselling author Terri Reed joins us to talk about Standing Watch, her latest romantic suspense in the Dakota K-9 Unit continuity series. We dive into how her real-life agility training with her Australian Shepherd shapes the way she writes dog characters, how writing in a 12-author series works, and the behind-the-scenes research on Mount Rushmore. Plus, Terri shares what it’s like to have a Hallmark movie based on one of her books and gives us a peek at what’s coming next—including a Doberman and a German Shorthaired Pointer in her 2026 release!