A Time to Thrill - Conversations with AIME AUSTIN Crime Fiction Author

This year Grace Wynter and I were recipients of the 2025 Barbara Neely Scholarship for Black crime writers. I wanted to meet my counterpart and here she is! Grace Wynter and I talk books, writing, and the future of publishing. Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions. You can find Grace: Website: www.gracewynter.com BlueSky: @ggwynterwrites.bsky.social Show Notes: books, writers, and topics we discuss: Judy Blume Jane Austen Toni Morrison Jamaica Kincaid Dean Koontz Stephen King Beverly Neely Karin Slaughter Yasmine Angoe Kathleen Early (Will Trent Series narrator) The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Noel Stark is a debut author! Her romance has some basis in reality: it’s all about Hollywood. In this interview, we talk about what romance has meant to her, the puzzle of storytelling, and the future of romance fiction. Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions. You can find Noël: Website: www.noelstark.com TikTok: @noelstarkauthor Instagram: @noelstarkauthor   Show Notes: movies, books, writers, and topics we discuss: Love, Camera, Action by Noel Stark Lavyrle Spencer Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

It’s April! No fools here. This month, I have the pleasure of speaking with podcaster and mom, Kara Infante. Her podcast is Bookish Flights. On each episode, she features a guest who talks about three books centered on a theme. We talk about ways that women funnel their creativity. Books! Talking! Conversations! All my favorite things. Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions. You can find Kara: Instagram: @bookishflights Facebook: @bookishflights Website: bookishflights.com Show Notes: movies, books, writers, and topics we discuss: Bookish Flights Podcast Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn Moloka’i by Alan Brennert Cold Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas

This month which brings the Ides of March, I have the true joy of speaking with women’s fiction author Brenda Janowitz. I met Brenda about a billion years ago when we co-blogged at Girlfriend’s Book Club, an early author blog co-founded by Hank Phillipe Ryan. Brends’s had an interesting journey that I can’t wait to share with you. Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions. You can find Brenda: Website: brendajanowitz.com Facebook: BrendaJanowitz Instagram: @brendajanowitzwriter Show Notes: movies, books, writers, and topics we discuss: Modern Love: He's Never Going to Put Away That Shirt Someone Else’s Wife (formerly titled The Good Enough Husband) The Secrets She Keeps Taming the Bad Boy What Was Perfect (The Story of Us Trilogy)Books by Brenda: The Lonely Hearts Club The Grace Kelly Dress Other mentions: Brenda’s CBS NY Book Club Pick – The Audrey Hepburn Estate Burnout by Emily & Amelia Nagasaki Rage Becomes Her by Soraya Chemaly Sold a Story (podcast on the corruption of reading education in the U.S.) Original Sins: The (Mis)education of Black and Native Children and the Construction of American Racism By Eve L. Ewing

Say hello to thriller author Kimberley Troutte! Kimberley started out like so many of us writing romance but had a hard time staying in a single lane. We talk about genre hopping, starts and stops in a writing career, and what she’s up to now. Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions. You can find Kimberley: Website: https://kimberleytroutte.com/ Facebook: NYTBestsellingRomanceAuthor Instagram: @kimberleytroutte Show Notes: movies, books, writers, and topics we discuss: Anne Marsh Ray Bradbury Laura Bradford Angela James Seals of Summer RITA/Vivian TH*IR*DS – post apocalyptic play. Cora Seton Lynn Raye Harris Sharon Hamilton Books by Kimberley: Soul Stealer Catch Me in Castile Lock and Load (Rita Nominee) Pilot Down (Vivian Nominee) The Package (Infiltrix Series)

This month I have the pleasure of chatting with Laura Drake. I met Laura many years ago when the Orange County romance writers was a chapter of RWA (now disaffiliated). Years ago, Laura left California and took herself and her motorcycle to Texas. It’s been a minute since I’ve seen her, but I really wanted to talk to her because she writes my favorite genre to write and read: women’s fiction. Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions. You can find Laura: Website: http://www.lauradrakebooks.com/ Facebook Group: Laura Drake’s – Peace, Love & Books X (Twitter): @LauraDrakeBooks Instagram: @auradrakebooks Goodreads: Laura Drake Author Bookbub: Laura Drake Author Newsletter sign-up: https://lauradrakebooks.com/newsletter/ Show Notes: movies, books, writers, and topics we discuss: The Sweet Spot by Laura Drake (2014 RITA Best First Book Winner) The Handmaid’s Tale (2017 Drama, Hulu) Charles Martin, author “When you are not fed love on a silver spoon, you learn to lick it off knives.” ― Lauren Eden, Lioness Awakens

I’m excited to talk to New York Times bestselling romance author Lynn Raye Harris! We met in Houston, Texas at a writer’s conference several years ago. She’s a former Harlequin Presents author turned successful indie. We talk about writing, reading, and horses. Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions. You can find Lynn Raye Harris: Facebook Author Page: AuthorLynnRayeHarris Facebook Reader Group: HOTReadersAndFans Instagram: @lynnrayeharris Newsletter: http://bit.ly/LRHNews Amazon: LynnRayeHarris Bookbub: Lynn Raye Harris  Goodreads: Lynn Raye Harris Show Notes: movies, books, writers, and topics we discuss: Theodora Taylor – feat. Episode 15 Beauty & the Beast Linda Howard Beverly Barton Linda Winstead Jones Kelley St. John Harlequin Presents Hostile Operations Team (H.O.T) Series Chuck Tingle Becca Syme – feat. Episode 24 Nancy Drew Hardy Boys Sweet Valley High V.C. Andrews Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel

Lisa and I met in a kitchen in South Pasadena. A few months ago, I signed up for Happy Women Dinners, events that feature women-focused topics. First, I met Lyz Lenz as she discussed her book about divorce. This month it was a talk from Bonnie Wan about getting clear on what we want in our lives. Great talks and as a bonus, I get to meet interesting women like Lisa Cheek. Her debut book, Sit, Cinderella, Sit will release in January 2025. Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions. You can find Lisa: Substack: lisacheek.substack.com Website lisacheek.com Instagram: @lisacheekauthor Facebook @lisacheekauthor LinkedIn @Lisa Cheek Show Notes: movies, books, writers, and topics we discuss: 20 Dates Faygo Soda (pop) The Liars Club by Mary Karr David Sedaris A Living Remedy by Nicole Chung Little Sister (Cinderella Moon) editing by Lisa Cheek Melissa Febos My Body by Emily Ratajkowski Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottleib What Comes Next and How to Like It by Abigail Thomas Jenny Lawson

After twenty-plus years in Los Angeles, I get a lot of invites to various shows—a friend of a friend sent over a link to a one-woman show. The caveat? It was… One night only. And…I was jet-lagged having just flown in from Europe. Fortunately, I live about five minute’s drive from the Hudson Theatre and frequent it often enough to know where to park. (Critical to LA plans). That night I had the pleasure of watching Teruko Nakajima dance her way through her life story Made in America. It was so amazing, interesting, and awe-inspiring that I immediately slid into her DMs and set up this interview… Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions. You can find Teruko: Instagram: @terukonakajima Website: www.terukonakajima.com Show Notes: book, writers, and topics we discuss: The Hollywood Fringe Festival (feat. Teruko Nakajima’s Made in America) Moonlight (movie) Upright Citizens Brigade Soho Playhouse Made in America, August 30, 2024, The Hudson Theatres, Los Angeles, California

I can’t wait for you to hear my conversation with Dee J Adams. She’s a modern-day renaissance woman. From acting, to voiceover work, to on-set coach, to romance author, there’s little she’s shied away from in the creative arena. Tune in while we discuss her parallel paths to creative success and fulfillment. Her nonfiction book […]

Enjoy a conversation with Aime Austin, the author of the Nicole Long and Casey Cort series of legal thrillers. In these conversations, I interview brilliant women creators. We talk about creating while being mothers, sisters, daughters, married, divorced, dating, and mapping out our destinies in the meantime.

It’s August and in Episode 49, I have a great conversation with crime author Kellye Garrett. Out of the gate, Kellye’s first book won ALL the awards. From cozy, humorous novels, in Missing White Woman, she’s turned to a more serious book that deals with the implications social media can have on a murder investigation. […]

This month it’s USA Today bestselling author Pippa Grant! One day I sat next to Pippa at a brunch in Houston and she talked about relaunching her author brand. Her success has been out of this world. Four of her romantic comedies have debuted at #1 on Amazon. Having the opportunity to see this amazing […]

Filmmakers are often lifted to mythical proportions in our culture. They create movies that mark the moments of our lives, push new phrases into our common lexicon, and for many leave lasting impressions. This month I have the joy of speaking with a triple-threat writer/director/actor Marlene Rhein Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions. You […]

I love this conversation with USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Forster. We both write legal thrillers but from different perspectives. In this podcast, we talk a lot about reading, writing, and the quest for justice. Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions. You can find Rebecca: Website: http://rebeccaforster.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaForster4/ Twitter: @Rebecca_Forster Amazon : https://www.amazon.com/Rebecca-Forster/e/B001HCZP3W/ […]

Anthea! I’m so excited to share my conversation with Anthea Sharp who also writes as Anthea Lawson. She is the USA Today bestselling author of Historical Romance, Fantasy, and her portmanteau, Romantacy! She’s not only a successful author, she’s also a trailblazer in the publishing space on the crowdfunding platform, Kickstarter. Let’s chat. I have […]

Welcome to The Murders Began hosted by Blake Hardin Tatum. Stay tuned to listen to the episodes recorded as featured in the Aime Austin legal thriller novel of the same title. Fictional host, Tatum, brings a true crime investigation to her readers and listeners in the third book in the Nicole Long Legal Thriller series. […]

Welcome to The Murders Began hosted by Blake Hardin Tatum. Stay tuned to listen to the episodes recorded as featured in the Aime Austin legal thriller novel of the same title. Fictional host, Tatum, brings a true crime investigation to her readers and listeners in the third book in the Nicole Long Legal Thriller series. […]

I love that every month I get to share my conversations with brilliant women creators. This month is no exception. You’re in for a treat with New York Times bestselling author Toni Anderson. She’s the only author I know who did not start with romance. Toni jumped into the deep end with romantic suspense. Tune […]

2024 starts off with a bang! This month I have a wonderful chat with USA Today bestselling author Renee Rose. Renee was early to the independent publishing game. She’s a generous soul in the romance community and believes in the power of abundance. Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions. You can find Renee: Website: […]

Retired educator and author Sara E. Johnson is this month’s guest. A long-time Durham, North Carolina resident, Johnson took a year off to live and travel in New Zealand. It inspired her Alexa Glock series. She published her first book at sixty and with six books slated in the series, her forensic odontologist protagonist is […]

Christine Cunningham Ashworth is a genre author with a unique background. Her father was a very prolific genre author as was her brother Scott before he turned to metaphysical nonfiction. In this episode, we discuss Christine’s latest book, an autobiography of Scott Cunningham, what it was like growing up around authors, and her path from […]

Psychologist and New York Times bestselling author Debra Holland is one of the earliest indie authors I know. She came to independent publishing well before many of us, and she had a hand in changing not only my career but guiding others in Southern California. Like many of my guests, she’s not only a very […]

This encore presentation features romance author Synithia Williams whose newest book, The Secret to a Southern Wedding is out this month! It’s an Amazon August 2023 Book of the Month! Throughout her writing career, Synithia has written twenty-five novels in several subgenres including category romance, single-title romance, and even women’s fiction under the pen name […]

Award-winning and USA Today bestselling author Delilah Marvelle is one of my favorite people. She’s super smart and funny. We laughed so much before recording that it was hard to stop. You have to listen to this one to hear how Jane Eyre changed her relationship with books and writing. She’s also the first writer […]

This month I have an interesting conversation with NAACP Image Award Winner, Pamela Samuels Young. She writes thrillers that are heavy on suspense. A retired attorney, like many of my guests, she made the transition from practicing law to writing full-time. Now her career is on a new trajectory with co-authoring in the mix. Let’s […]

OMG this episode is epic! This month I have a super interesting conversation with USA Today bestselling author Blair Babylon. Blair is another author I haven’t seen in some time (damned COVID). Also, admittedly I tried not to talk to her too much about the pandemic as she’s an expert Ph.D. in microbiology and virology. I […]

A prosecutor fighting for sobriety, an abuse victim in denial, and the reporter who wants to expose it all. ⚖️ This is a special bonus episode of A Time to Thrill! I’m so excited that Without Consent is out today! This is the third title in the Niciole Long series and it’s a good one. […]

This month I have a great talk with USA Today bestselling author Pamela DuMond. Pamela has had the most varied career. From ‘discovering’ Erin Brockovich to writing for storytelling game apps, she’d done a lot. You can find Pamela: Website: pameladumond.com FB: facebook.com/PamelaDuMondAuthor IG: instagram.com/pameladumond.storyteller Amazon: amazon.com/PamelaDumond BookBub: bookbub.com/pamela-dumond Show Notes & books we discuss: Erin Brockovich […]

This month I have a great talk with New York Times bestselling author Sharon Hamilton. I met Sharon some years ago at a romance writer’s meeting in Orange County, California. Writing is her second successful career. The first was in real estate. I was surprised that some of what it takes to sell a house […]

This month I have a fun conversation is USA Today bestselling historical romance author Grace Callaway. Despite knowing Grace for years, in this interview I find out when it comes to books we have very little in common! Grace’s books are known for three elements, historical family drama, mystery, and lots of spicy sex scenes. […]

This month I have a wide-ranging conversation is USA Today bestselling thriller author Melissa F. Miller. You can find Melissa: Web: melissafmiller.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/authormelissafmiller Goodreads: goodreads.com/melissafmiller Show Notes: The Alchemist The Lincoln Lawyer Killing Floor The Westing Game Anne of Green Gables The Thorn Birds The Virals Series (Kathy & Brendan Reichs) Theodore Boone (Kid Lawyer) […]

This month my guest is New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author Cora Seton. Cora has written many romances set in the fictional town of Chance Creek which has been a reader favorite for years (with over a million copies sold). In this interview, we talk about Cora’s beginnings and what the future […]

This month my guest is romance author Synithia Williams. Throughout her writing career, Synithia has written twenty-five novels in several subgenres including category romance, single-title romance, and even women’s fiction under the pen name Nita Brooks. You can find Synithia: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/@SynithiaW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@SynithiaW Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synithiarwilliams TikTok: https://www.ticktock.com/@SynithiaW Website: http://www.synithiawilliams.com/ as Nita Brooks: Website: https://nitabrooks.com/ […]

This month my guest is USA Today Bestselling Author and principal at Maggie Marr Legal, Maggie Marr. As a writer, Maggie is the bestselling author of over 25 contemporary romances. As the principal of Maggie Marr Legal, she’s an entertainment attorney and former agent who ushers books to the screen among other work in that […]

This month my guest is co-author Natasha Marsiguerra. Natasha is the co-author of the Tommy Keane crime fiction series. She writes with her brother Travis Meyers. You can find Natasha: Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20179509.Natasha_Myers_Marsiguerra Twitter: https://twitter.com/NMarsiguerra Show Notes: Authors and books mentioned in the podcast: Outcry Witness by Aime Austin Major Crimes by Aime Austin Tommy Keane […]

This month my guest is author and podcast host Julie Strauss. Julie is a contemporary romance author and host of the podcast the Best Book Ever. I love this podcast! I listen weekly usually when I ride my bike along the beach when I’m in Los Angeles. You can find Julie: Website: JulieWroteABook.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliewroteabook/ […]

This month my guest is author Tamara Gill. Tamara is the author of historical and time-travel romance. Yes, those often overlap. Tamara resides in Australia and is beloved by readers. You can find Tamara: Website: TamaraGill.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamaragillromance/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamaragillauthor/ Show Notes: Authors mentioned in the podcast: Karen Marie Moning Diana Gabaldon Ivy Smoak Julia […]

This month my guest is Gumball Love creator and relationship/dating coach, Melissa Leger. Creator of Gumball Love, the Back to You Academy, and Level Up for Love, Melissa is a relationship coach that changed my life, for the better. This is a long episode, but the information is so very important for those of you […]

This month my guest is fiction writer and coach, Becca Syme. Creator of Write Better Faster and The Better Faster Academy, Becca is a writing coach that changed not only my life but that of many of my friends/fellow authors. I hope you enjoy this wide-ranging conversation about strengths, weaknesses, and being the best we […]

This month my guest is the multidimensional author and commercial pilot, Susan Grant. She’s the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Sci-fi romance. She’s also a multiple RITA finalist and RITA award winner. Whenever I see Susan in person, talk turns to travel as it does in this episode. You can find […]

This month my guest is the fabulous top 100 Amazon  Author Deanna Roy! If a cat has nine lives, Deanna has had even more. Tune in to listen to her amazing moxie as she reinvents herself time and again. She has great stories to share. Deanna writes as Deanna Roy, JJ Knight, Abby Tyler, and […]

Welcome to A Time to Thrill. In this episode, I have the great pleasure of talking with Patricia Krebs. I met Patricia many years ago at a joint gallery show she shared with Elizabeth Decker (Episode 9) and two other artists. My greatest regret was not buying a series Krebs displayed at that show. By […]

This month my guest is my dear friend and amazing author, Kathleen Bittner Roth. Kathleen lives in Budapest! She’s an ex-pat who’s fallen in love with the same city I have! As I mention in this episode, Kathleen’s had at least four or five different lives. She’s lived in many states and cities, and different […]

This month my guest is the fabulous USA Today Bestselling Author Brenna Aubrey! Aubrey’s Gaming the System series has been a blockbuster bestseller for years. She leapt onto the New Adult stage with all the fanfare. Listen as I catch up with Aubrey as her career and characters have matured. There were some hitches with […]

In this episode, I have a most lovely chat with bestselling author of romance and women’s fiction, Jenny Gardiner. We talk about indie publishing as a kind of a feminist movement. The last ten years have been a watershed moment for women moving from publishing’s pink ghetto to the top of the business’ food chain. […]

This is a special bonus episode of A Time to Thrill! I’m so excited that Abused is out! This is the tenth title in the Casey Cort series and it’s the best Casey Cort book I’ve ever written. Casey is out in uncharted territory. Not only is she facing her first murder case, but she’s […]

Welcome to A Time to Thrill. This month I have a fascinating conversation with USA Today Bestselling Author Rachael Grant. Rachel writes romantic suspense with a side of archeology. As a former archeologist with a husband who is still working in that space, she’s more than got the goods! Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rachelsgrant/ Website https://rachel-grant.net/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RachelGrantAuthor […]

Welcome to A Time to Thrill. This month I have a fascinating conversation with Rachael Herron. In addition to being a romance author, she’s the-host of the podcast, How Do You Write. Rachael’s super fun. It’s a great and lively conversation. Twitter http://twitter.com/rachaelherron Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rachaelherron/ Website https://rachaelherron.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Rachael.Herron.Author Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3024739.Rachael_Herron In this episode, we […]

Finally! Nearly every author I’ve interviewed has praised Theodora Taylor (Smith ’99). Now you get to hear what all the hype is about. For once, believe the hype. Connect with Theodora: Website Amazon Facebook Twitter Instagram Goodreads Show Notes: USA Today Bestselling Author Maggie Marr A Court of Thorns & Roses Sarah MacLean (Smith ’00) […]

In this episode, I have a wonderful chat with USA Today Bestselling author, Lisa Hughey. We talk about life in California, Massachusettes, contemporary romance, and romantic suspense. Lisa thinks romances give readers hope for the future. (about 38:00) Love isn’t about finding someone who is not perfect, but perfect for you. (about 1:17:50) Also, Lisa […]