Episodes

  • 170: Sarah Hamaker
    Aug 22 2025

    For today's episode of Book Talk, I'm so pleased to introduce you to Sarah Hamaker. On her website, Sarah hosts quick takes with authors, a great way to learn about what authors are working on and their newest books (you can listen to my part in one recent episode here). In addition to encouraging and supporting other authors, Sarah writes page-turning romantic suspense. She has a novella in the Truth collection, and it's one you won't want to miss.

    Like many authors, Sarah grew up telling stories and wanting to write. She's turned that lifelong love of reading and writing into award-finaling and winning novels in the romantic suspense genre.

    Connect with Sarah Hamaker

    Facebook | Podcast

    Want to watch this interview? You can see this episode as well as multiple others on YouTube! Enjoy!

    If you enjoyed this conversation, I would be thrilled if you left a rating and review on your favorite podcast app and leave me a note below letting me know who you would love to see on the show!

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    26 mins
  • 169: Paul Bradley Carr
    Aug 15 2025

    One of the things I enjoy most about hosting Book Talk is making new writing friends. I love connecting with writers I've known for years, but today I get to introduce you to a new friend. Paul Bradley Carr and I hadn't met before we recorded, but as you enjoy this conversation, I think you'll find that we had so many things to talk about. It was a fast and fun chat about his new book The Confessions.

    Why? Because for 25 years, Paul covered Silicon Valley for the British newspaper The Guardian, and he brings all of that knowledge to this book. As I told Paul, I didn't plan to read an AI thriller, and I certainly didn't plan to inhale it, but I really enjoyed The Confessions. It's fresh, and it's the kind of book that will make you think while taking you on a wild ride.

    Connect with Paul Bradley Carr

    BlueSky | Instagram

    Want to watch this interview? You can see this episode as well as multiple others on YouTube! Enjoy!

    If you enjoyed this conversation, I would be thrilled if you left a rating and review on your favorite podcast app and leave me a note below letting me know who you would love to see on the show!

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    32 mins
  • 168: Bethany Turner
    Aug 8 2025

    t is so much fun to welcome Bethany Turner back to Book Talk. She was my first guest at the very beginning of Book Talk, and it is a delight to have her back as we discuss her latest romantic comedy, Wes and Addie Had Their Chance. I was surprised to learn that this was the first book idea that she had...ten years later, it's finally seeing the light of day. I love these characters and story. This one isn't as funny as some of her others, but it is still an ode to pop culture and so much more.

    Bethany Turner is such fun. She brings joy to everything, including this interview.

    Connect with Bethany Turner

    Facebook | Instagram

    Want to watch this interview? You can see this episode as well as multiple others on YouTube! Enjoy!

    If you enjoyed this conversation, I would be thrilled if you left a rating and review on your favorite podcast app and leave me a note below letting me know who you would love to see on the show!

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    26 mins
  • 167: Lisa Bergren
    Aug 1 2025

    Today, it's a thrill to get to introduce you to the delightful Lisa T. Bergren. The author of more than 70 books, Lisa is a wonderful person who writes fantastic novels. Today we're talking about her River of Time series. This series is one of my favorites, a passion I share with my oldest daughter. She inhaled this series multiple times as a teen, selecting different locations in Siena and Florence based on the books. Now I'm introducing my other daughter to this amazing time travel series that combines the romance of Twilight with the action of Hunger Games.

    In addition to talking about this series, we discussed what we collect on vacation, what it takes to write. Then there's finding your space in the world of books and genres. I can't wait to hear what you think of Lisa and her books.

    Connect with Lisa T. Bergren

    Facebook | X | Instagram | Pinterest

    Want to watch this interview? You can see this episode as well as multiple others on YouTube! Enjoy!

    If you enjoyed this conversation, I would be thrilled if you left a rating and review on your favorite podcast app and leave me a note below letting me know who you would love to see on the show!

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    26 mins
  • 166: Dan Walsh
    Apr 25 2025

    In this episode of Book Talk, I get to introduce you to my friend Dan Walsh, a writer who has been compared to Nicholas Sparks. He has published traditionally and as an indie, with great success in both. We talked about why he's made the publishing choices he has as well as the journey two of his books have had on the path to possibly becoming books. It was a fascinating conversation as we explored branding and more. I can't wait to hear what you think.

    Connect with Dan Walsh

    Facebook | X | Goodreads

    Want to watch this interview? You can see this episode as well as multiple others on YouTube! Enjoy!

    If you enjoyed this conversation, I would be thrilled if you left a rating and review on your favorite podcast app and leave me a note below letting me know who you would love to see on the show!

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    20 mins
  • 165: Susan Meissner
    Apr 18 2025

    There are some authors that I aspire to write like, and Susan Meissner is one of them. I am delighted to introduce you to her in this episode of Book Talk. Her latest novel A Map to Paradise, was featured in PEOPLE magazine. Woot! There is a gentleness to Susan that I so appreciate, and this episode grew out of reconnecting with her at a published author retreat in February. I know you'll enjoy learning about her path to published author, how A Map to Paradise is woven together, and how it evolved in the writing and editing. There's so much to learn from her. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.

    Connect with Susan Meissner

    Facebook | X | Instagram | Pinterest

    Want to watch this interview? You can see this episode as well as multiple others on YouTube! Enjoy!

    If you enjoyed this conversation, I would be thrilled if you left a rating and review on your favorite podcast app and leave me a note below letting me know who you would love to see on the show!

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    31 mins
  • 164: Becca Kinzer
    Apr 11 2025

    Becca Kinzer is the award-winning author of romantic comedies like Dear Henry, Love Edith. I LOVED First Love, Second Draft, a book of second-chance love and forced proximity, so it was such fun to talk about it with Becca. I think we could also bond over our fondness of Jimmy Stewart, but we didn't dive down that rabbit hole in today's conversation. What we did talk about is the way love and second-chance love give us a chance to dig deeper and explore God's heart and character. We talked about her journey in writing and how she writes. And we just had a fun conversation. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

    Connect with Becca Kinzer

    Facebook | X | Instagram | Goodreads

    Want to watch this interview? You can see this episode as well as multiple others on YouTube! Enjoy!

    If you enjoyed this conversation, I would be thrilled if you left a rating and review on your favorite podcast app and leave me a note below letting me know who you would love to see on the show!

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    19 mins
  • 163: Jaime Jo Wright
    Apr 4 2025

    It is always a delight to share my friend Jaime Jo Wright with y'all. In November, we were at the Christy Awards, and it was a thrill to watch her win the Christy for mystery/suspense/thriller. Y'all, I don't want to go head-to-head against this amazing writer. I can say this because I love Jaime and her writing. Jaime's books fill an interesting niche: Christian gothic. What is that? I'm glad you asked because that's what we will start this Book Talk discussing.

    Then we move on to her new novel, The Tempest of Annabel's Lighthouse. This story was the first idea that Jaime had, and it's now coming to you. I can't wait to see what you think of it. Then we move on to discuss what makes a great hero, and I think her definition will surprise you. As will whether she reads her reviews and which of her books she'd love to see turned into a movie. As always, you will enjoy this conversation with Jaime.

    Connect with Jaime Jo Wright

    Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube | Threads | Podcast

    Want to watch this interview? You can see this episode as well as multiple others on YouTube! Enjoy!

    If you enjoyed this conversation, I would be thrilled if you left a rating and review on your favorite podcast app and leave me a note below letting me know who you would love to see on the show!

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    21 mins