WJHG Chapter Chat

Known as a queen of sun-drenched summer reads, New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey thought she was heading into a much-needed break until inspiration struck on tour and pulled her right into autumn. In this episode of Chapter Chat, Kristy joins Jessica Foster to dive into Falling for Peachtree Bluff, returning to her beloved, wildly popular series with a cozy seasonal twist that welcomes both longtime fans and brand-new readers alike. Kristy shares how unexpected story ideas take root on the road, the creative magic of embracing the fall season, and how today’s evolving literary landscape is giving authors unprecedented ways to connect directly with their readers.

Author Charlotte Lillie Balogh joins Chapter Chat to discuss her gripping coming-of-age novel, Capsized, centered on a high school girls' rowing team. Charlotte opens up about the grit required in the revision process, the village behind every book, and the realities of promoting on BookTok and other social media platforms. Plus, she shares an exclusive tease about adapting Capsized for the screen and delivers a candid, impassioned take on why society still owes female athletes far more respect.

In this engaging and candid episode of Chapter Chat, bestselling author Eliza Knight joins us to discuss the unique challenge of releasing two very different books simultaneously: Lost in the Summer of ’69 and a gripping thriller published under her pseudonym, Michelle Brandon.

Eliza breaks down the creative process of switching between historical fiction and suspense, what she uncovered while researching Woodstock, and why exploring the reality of aging was central to her narrative. Packed with fun behind-the-scenes stories and great conversation, this episode is a fascinating look at craft and creative versatility.

In this episode of Chapter Chat, host Jessica Foster sits down with New York Times bestselling author Nina Simon to discuss her latest release, My Sister is Going to Kill Me. Nina opens up about how her mother’s cancer diagnosis became the catalyst for her writing journey, the fierce power of female bonds, and how storytelling became an unexpected conduit for healing and joy. Plus, Nina shares what it’s really like living completely off the grid, generating her own electricity, and why leaving her career as a NASA engineer taught her the importance of giving yourself permission to chase brand-new dreams unapologetically.

Episode Synopsis:

In this empowering episode of Chapter Chat, host Jessica Foster sits down with bestselling author Natasha Lester to discuss her captivating new novel, The Chateau on Sunset, a stunning 1960s retelling of Jane Eyre.

Together, they dive deep into the power of female friendships, the strength of "the whisper network," and what it truly means to live unapologetically without making yourself small. Both Natasha and Jessica share candid, personal stories from their own lives about overcoming self-doubt and carving out their own paths. Tune in for a raw, inspiring conversation that will leave you energized to follow your dreams and stand tall.

In this episode of Chapter Chat, we sit down with bestselling author Susan Wiggs to celebrate the paperback release of her deeply resonant novel, Wayward Girls. Susan opens up about the passionate, specific feedback she has received from readers and shares her unique creative process, from the grounding ritual of handwriting her first drafts to how she physically transitions when writing about traumatic themes. We also explore the striking parallels between how novelists and journalists decompress and process the heavy, emotional stories they are responsible for telling.

In this episode of Chapter Chat, we sit down with the legendary New York Times bestselling author Rhys Bowen to discuss her latest release, The Castle in the Glen.

Rhys shares why she actively seeks out creative challenges when plotting her intricate novels, how she successfully keeps so many literary plates spinning at the same time, and what it’s really like collaborating with her daughter, Clare Broyles, to bring beloved characters to life. Whether you’re an aspiring novelist or a devoted fan of historical mystery, Rhys’s insights on discipline, family, and the joy of storytelling will leave you inspired.

Why do real-life spy operations feel wilder than anything we can make up? This week on Chapter Chat, we’re cracking open Spies, Lies & Alibies with author Natalie Walters. She reveals how she uses bizarre, real-world scenarios to weave into her high-stakes mysteries, her blueprint for the ultimate slow-burn romance, and how she crafts addictive thrill rides that leave readers saying: that was a blast, let’s do it again.

Author Courtney Walsh joins Chapter Chat to talk about her new novel Brighter Than Before and the belief at its core that it’s not too late to begin again. Courtney empahsizes how you’re never too old to rewrite your story. We dig into why Courtney keeps her romances low-spice and high-heart, focusing on emotional intimacy and meaningful connection. Plus, she breaks down what she’s learned publishing in both traditional and independent spaces and how each path shapes creativity, control, and career longevity.

Author Marian Yee joins Chapter Chat to discuss her novel 4 Janes. It's a fascinating retelling of Jane Eyre that proves why the classic story remains timeless and transcends time. Inspired by a trip to Vietnam, Yee shares how place, memory, and perspective shaped her reimagining, and she opens up about her own writing approach: slow, steady, and built on the power of a little bit of writing every day. Plus, Yee turns the tables and asks host Jessica Foster a question listeners will want answered—are you writing a book? You’ll have to listen to hear what she says.

In this Chapter Chat episode, author Kerri Maher joins us to discuss her latest novel, Summer of Love, a deeply layered story that doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. We talk candidly about the book’s themes of addiction and recovery, and Maher shares a raw, honest reflection on her own journey with sobriety, including the joy and the challenges that come with doing the work.

Maher also opens up about her writing path, and how she wrote five unpublished novels before selling her first book, and how experimenting across genres strengthened her understanding of plot, voice, and character development. Plus, she shares insight into her work as a parent coach, a role that continues to shape how she thinks about growth, resilience, and connection.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, you’re encouraged to reach out for help—support is available, and you don’t have to do it alone.

Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie join the podcast to discuss A Founding Mother, their new historical fiction novel illuminating Abigail Adams’ lasting imprint on the United States as the wife of one president and the mother of another. With America’s 250th on the horizon, they explore why the Revolutionary era still resonates today, how they collaborate as co-authors to bring history to life, and the personal resilience required to finish the book, especially as Kamoie faced a breast cancer diagnosis that echoed a poignant thread in the Adams family’s own historical record.

Best-selling author Mary Kay Andrews joins Chapter Chat to talk about her latest release, Road Trip, a story rooted in sisterhood, self-discovery, and a setting that whisks readers away to Ireland. Andrews shares why she always makes her readers the same promise: you’ll be happy at the end, even when the journey gets messy. We also dig into how her own research road trip helped shape the novel’s world, why she loves weaving a dual timeline, and what she believes today’s readers want most: escapism with characters and conflicts that still feel true. Plus, the former journalist discusses her continued support for a free press, and how that perspective informs the stories she tells.

Author Ashley Poston returns to Chapter Chat for her second appearance. This time she talks about her latest release, The Someday Garden. Ashley shares her approach to magical realism and how she blends fantasy and contemporary elements to create stories that feel both grounded and wondrous.

We dig into the novel’s powerful themes of grief, including how Ashley has written through grief in her own life and why she sees it as a pendulum, swinging through moments of loss, then back toward joy, hope, and happiness. Ashley also opens up about the writing process behind The Someday Garden, learning not to second-guess herself, and how trusting her instincts became essential to finishing the book.

And before she goes, Ashley teases what’s ahead. She reveals her next project is taking a different trajectory, including a pause on magical realism.

Nicola Harrison stops by Chapter Chat to unpack The Island Club, from the strength of women supporting women to the discipline behind writing historical fiction. We cover her pivot from journalist to novelist, the questions that guide her research, and how she balances fact, feeling, and imagination on the page.

Author Sheila Roberts stops by Chapter Chat to discuss her latest romance novel, Love on the Shelf and to preview the Christmas novel she has coming out later this year. Sheila opens up about what it’s like having her holiday books adapted into movies, why she’s drawn to writing stories full of warmth and hope, and how her writing process takes a book from first spark to finished page. We also bond as cancer survivors, sharing how that experience can reshape perspective, deepen gratitude, and influence creativity. Plus, Sheila breaks down why romance remains one of the most popular genres and what readers are really looking for when they pick up a love story.

Chapter Chat sits down with New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger to talk thrillers and the creative process behind them. Unger shares why she’s a writing “gardener,” letting stories evolve on the page instead of relying on detailed outlines, and how plot flows from character in her work. She also dives into the research that fuels her suspense, the mix of luck and hard work behind publishing success, and why she believes “failure is the norm” (and nothing to fear). Plus: a candid conversation about introverts and extroverts, and how different personality types help society and storytelling flourish.

Author Priya Parmar joins Chapter Chat to discuss her novel The Original, and the enduring fascination with Katherine Hepburn. Parmar shares how she balances deep research with imaginative storytelling. Parmar blends real people, places, and details with fiction in a way that feels authentic without being constrained by the record. She also walks us through the meticulous care she put into crafting the book, from shaping character and voice to honoring the era’s texture while building a compelling, original narrative.

Kristy Woodson Harvey joins Chapter Chat to talk about her latest release, Summer State of Mind and why “found family” remains one of her favorite themes to explore on the page. We also dig into the power of a “hook book,” the irresistible read that sparks a lifelong love of reading, and how Kristy approaches writing stories that pull readers in and keep them there.

Corinne Sullivan joins Chapter Chat to talk about her latest thriller, Yours Always, and the eight-year gap between her first and second novels. She shares what it’s like balancing writing with motherhood and her role as Senior News Editor at Cosmopolitan, plus how the changing media landscape has shaped her career and her storytelling.

Author and former TV news producer Nikesha Elise Williams joins Chapter Chat to talk about her latest novel, The Seven Daughters of Dupree. It's a layered family story where secrets don’t stay buried and generational trauma shapes what gets passed down. The Seven Daughters of Dupree touches on the resilience of Black women and the complicated love that holds families together. In this episode, Williams also breaks down what writers should know about self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and how her media background informs the way she tells stories.

Author Emily Carpenter joins Chapter Chat to talk about her newest novel, A Spell for Saints and Sinners, a Southern Gothic story set in Savannah, Georgia. We dig into her research process, how she builds characters and scenes, and the winding road that led her to becoming an author—ups, downs, and all.

In this episode of Chapter Chat, Donna Jones Alward takes us aboard the Titanic through her novel Ship of Dreams. From meticulous historical research to the overlooked realities of women’s lives at the time, we explore what the tragedy reveals about society, ambition, and the personal stories history can’t fully capture.

This week on Chapter Chat, author Jennifer Moorman discusses her newest release, The Charmed Library. Together, we dive into the heart of magical realism, a genre where the extraordinary slips into the ordinary just enough to change what we notice, what we believe, and what we’re brave enough to imagine.

Jennifer shares the inspiration behind The Charmed Library, what draws her to stories rooted in wonder, and why “magic” doesn’t have to mean wands and spells. It can be the moments that crack open our routines and remind us we’re alive. From the emotional resonance of place to the way books help us find our way back to ourselves, this conversation is an invitation to look for enchantment in the world around us.

If you’ve ever needed a story that feels like a warm light in a familiar room, this episode is for you.

Shelley Noble joins Chapter Chat to discuss her new novel, The Sisters of Book Row, and the enduring power of stories in a time when books and the people who write, share, and protect them are increasingly under pressure. We talk craft, creative curiosity, and how art (including writing) helps us make meaning, build empathy, and keep history from repeating itself.

Noble also reflects on the real-world conversations around censorship and book challenges, why access to literature matters, and what’s at stake when communities decide which stories get to be heard. A thoughtful, timely episode about the freedom to create and the responsibility to keep pages turning.