Tag Archives: Contemporary Fiction

Episode 173: Interview with author Laurie Frankel, author of Enormous Wings

May 5, 2026Author InterviewAgeism, Contemporary Fiction, domestic fiction, Enormous Wings, Henry Holt, humor, Laurie Frankel, One Two Three, TexasTop Shelf With Carol Ann Tack

It is always a sun-shiny day when Laurie Frankel gifts us all with a new book, and Enormous Wings is that book!

Enormous Wings is a timely novel about Pepper Mills who grudgingly moves into a retirement community. While there, she gets some shocking news, and boy does she! Enormous Wings explores motherhood, family, sex, love, friendship, and how, even late in life, foundations can shift. Laurie handles these topics with empathy, humanity, and care. It’s why she’s so good at what she does.

For this episode, Laurie talks about the inspiration, gets in-depth with her writing process, gives advice to aspiring writers, and shares some terrific book recs. To say it was a joy to host THE Laurie Frankel is an understatement. I had an absolute blast speaking with her again. Thank you, Laurie!

Give a listen to my interview with Laurie for her excellent book, One Two Three, right here.

Laurie Frankel recommends: The Husbands by Holly Gramazio; The Future by Naomi Alderman; The Power by Naomi Alderman; Indian Country by Shobha Rao; The Typing Lady by Ruth Ozeki; the work of Ruth Ozeki; Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe.

Follow Laurie on Instagram and Facebook and as always, check out her Substack.

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E112: Interview with Rachel Koller Croft, author of Stone Cold Fox

February 14, 2023Author Interviewberkley publishing, Contemporary Fiction, debut author, debut thriller, Katey Sagal, mother daughter relationships, penguin random house, Rachel koller croft, Stone Cold Fox, Torn HeartsTop Shelf With Carol Ann Tack

Three words for you all: STONE COLD FOX. STONE COLD FOX is a perfectly wicked debut thriller about an ambitious woman who, after a lifetime of conning alongside her mother, wants to leave her dark past behind and marry the heir to one of the country’s wealthiest families.

Writers Guild of America nominee and debut author Rachel Koller Croft sat down with me for this episode and we had a blast talking about “foxes”, writing the amazing character of Bea, her love for libraries, screenwriting and more! Rachel Koller Croft’s unputdownable debut STONE COLD FOX hits shelves on February 14. Book clubs? Start your engines!

Rachel Koller Croft recommends: The Shards by Brett Easton Ellis; Love Pamela by Pamela Anderson; She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb; Cheat Day by Liv Stratman. Don’t miss Rachel’s terrific movie: Torn Hearts starring Katey Sagal!

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Episode 102: Interview with Bruce Holsinger author of The Displacements

August 8, 2022Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, Bruce Holsinger, Contemporary Fiction, Florida, Hurricanes, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, Riverhead Books, Staff Pick, TexasTop Shelf With Carol Ann Tack

“Hypnotic.” ~ NYT

“Cinematic.” ~ USA Today

“A gripping, full-throttle page turner.” ~ Miranda Cowley Heller

The Displacements by Bruce Holsinger is an adrenaline-fueled story of lives upended and transformed by an unprecedented catastrophe. Holsinger weaves the story of a well-to-do family around a catastrophic hurricane that strips them of their privilege and exposes their humanity.

This episode we talk about how The Displacements shatters the complacency of every day life, we get into the mechanics of writing suspense, the book cover, and more. Thank you so much Bruce!

Bruce Holsinger recommends: Appleseed by Matt Bell; How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue; The Children’s Bible by Lydia Millet; How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu

Reserve the books of Bruce Holsinger here.

Look for Bruce Holsinger on Twitter @bruceholsinger and on Instagram @bruceholsingerauthor

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Episode 98: Interview with Madeline Kay Sneed

July 5, 2022Author Interview#comingout, #madelinesneed #LGBTQ, #thegoldenseason, Contemporary Fiction, faith, family, Football, graydon house, Harlequin, Queer, rural fiction, southern fiction, Texas, West TexasTop Shelf With Carol Ann Tack

“Madeline Kay Sneed has written a Friday Night Lights for a new generation. The Golden Season is a heartfelt story of finding yourself, coming out, and coming home… A tender, bighearted exploration of family, first love, and faith, with a gorgeously evoked west Texas landscape as backdrop.” —Sarah McCraw Crow, author of The Wrong Kind of Woman. An absolutely spot-on review for this remarkable debut, a novel about love, acceptance, and the expansion of your heart.

For this episode, debut author Madeline Kay Sneed chatted with me about writing a debut novel, setting the novel in West Texas and signature cocktails. Madeline even offers to teach me how to say, “y’all” like a true Texan. A must listen, thank you SO much Madeline!

Madeline Kay Sneed recommends: Vigil Harbor by Julia Glass; The Burning Season by Allison Wisdom

Follow Madeline on Twitter: @madelinesneed and on Instagram @madzsneed

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Episode 97 : Interview with Marilyn Simon Rothstein author of Crazy to Leave You

June 27, 2022Author InterviewContemporary Fiction, Crazy to Leave You, Husbands and Other Sharp Objects, Lake Union Press, Lift And Separate, Marilyn Simon Rothstein, summer read, Women's fictionTop Shelf With Carol Ann Tack

“Poignant and funny, Crazy To Leave You is chock full of Rothstein’s signature fast-paced, smart dialogue and brimming with wit. A heartfelt, delicious story.” —Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Palace

Marilyn Simon Rothstein‘s latest, Crazy to Leave You, is a funny, bighearted novel about the happy accidents that lead to love and second chances. We had such a great conversation…this episode is a must listen and Crazy to Leave You is a must read for this summer. Thank you so much Marilyn – what a blast!

Marilyn Simon Rothstein recommends: Out of the Clear Blue Sky by Kristan Higgins

Reserve Marilyn’s previous books right here. Follow Marilyn on Instgram: @marilynsimonrothstein; Twitter: @nounsandverbs1; and follow Marilyn on both her Facebook pages: Marilyn Simon Rothstein Author and Marilyn Simon Rothstein.

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Episode 95 : Interview with Nina LaCour, author of Yerba Buena

June 7, 2022Author InterviewCalifornia, Contemporary Fiction, Flatiron Books, LGBTQ, Macmillan, Macmillan Publishers, Nina Lacour, Queer, Yerba BuenaTop Shelf With Carol Ann Tack

Here’s what’s being said about the debut adult fiction novel, Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour:

“A love story for our time.” ―Tara Conklin, bestselling author of The Last Romantics

“This book is a precious thing.” ―Casey McQuiston, bestselling author of One Last Stop.

I mean these reviews for Yerba Buena are so true, I needed to include both of them! This lush and lyrical queer love story gave me such joy and hope that when I was finished, I went right back and read it again. For this episode, Nina spoke about writing her first adult fiction novel, writing that book during lock down, her inspiration and more. Thank you so much for joining me Nina LaCour, Yerba Buena is such a special book! I loved this interview…

Nina LaCour recommends We Do What We Do in the Dark by Michelle Hart; and Memorial by Bryan Washington

Click here to reserve all Nina LaCour titles!

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Episode 94: Interview with May Cobb author of My Summer Darlings

June 2, 2022Author Interviewberkley publishing, Contemporary Fiction, East Texas, May Cobb, penguin random house, summer reading, Texas, ThrillerTop Shelf With Carol Ann Tack

“My Summer Darlings is spicy enough to make you sweat – until the suspense chills you to your core.” ~ Riley Sager, bestselling author of Survive the Night.

Named A Most Anticipated Novel of 2022 by Crime Reads, Goodreads, and more. My Summer Darlings is the story of three life-long friends and a dangerous, sexy new stranger in town which leads to a scorching summer of manipulation, obsession, and murder. Jen, Kittie, and Cynthia are three main characters in My Summer Darlings you won’t soon forget. For E94, May & I talked about how these women try to keep up appearances and keep their desires a secret. We also chat about Jake Ryan (yes that Jake Ryan), and what May is working on next. Thank you so much May!

May’s interview with the Dallas Morning News

May Cobb recommends: The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager; Watch Out For Her by Samantha Bailey; Four Aunties and a Wedding by Jesse Sutanto

Follow May Cobb on Instagram @may_cobb; on Twitter @maykcobb; and on Facebook @MayKCobb

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Episode 91: Interview with Adriana Trigiani author of The Good Left Undone

April 25, 2022Author InterviewAdriana Trigiani, Arandora Star, Churchill, Contemporary Fiction, dutton press, England, France, Glasgow, historical fiction, Italy, Lucca, Marseille, penguin random house, Scotland, The Good Left Undone, Viareggio, WWIITop Shelf With Carol Ann Tack

“This book is layered like a napolean…there’s no chuffa in The Good Left Undone!” ~ Adriana Trigiani

There is just something special about the latest from Adriana Trigiani that sets it apart from her other remarkable books. Author Lisa Scottoline says of The Good Left Undone, “Adriana Trigiani has written the triumph of her career in this historical epic. It’s an opus – a gorgeous opus!” The book is filled with historical fiction of the kind I had never heard of, yet it’s every bit contemporary: our main character, Senora Cabrelli, looks back on her life and relates her remarkable story to her adult granddaughter. You will not be able to put this one down, I can assure you. As Goodreads says, “Prepare to be enthralled…”

Thank you so much Adriana Trigiani, what a special, special interview. I am so grateful. Grazie Mille!

Place your holds here for all the Adriana Trigiani books!

Just LOOK at all these Adriana Trigiani titles!

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Episode 84 : Interview with Katy Regan author of How To Find Your Way Home

February 28, 2022Author InterviewAuthor Interview, berkley publishing, Birding, Book Discussion, book discussions, Contemporary Fiction, Friday Reads, Homeless, How to Find Your Way Home, Katy Regan, Little Big Love, mental health, migration, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, siblings, Staff Pick, swallows, swiftsTop Shelf With Carol Ann Tack

From Katy Regan, the author of Little Big Love (a huge favorite of mine) comes her latest, How to Find Your Way Home, a warm, life-affirming novel. When a sister discovers that the brother she hasn’t seen in more than a decade is homeless, she learns the true meaning of belonging when she tries to reconnect. How to Find Your Way Home is not to be missed.

I enjoyed this conversation about the book so much, thank you Katy Regan! Keep an eye-out Roger…I’ll see you soon.

Katy Regan recommends: Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave; Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers; Attic Child by Lola Jay.