Just One More Chapter Podcast

They couldn't wait to stay here. A wellness retreat has opened on an island off the English coast, promising rest and relaxation—but the island itself, known locally as Reaper's Rock, has a dark past. Once the playground of a serial killer, it's rumored to be cursed. But now they can't leave. A young woman is found dead below the yoga pavilion in what seems to be a tragic fall. But Detective Elin Warner soon learns the victim wasn't a guest—she wasn't meant to be on the island at all. And they would do anything to escape. Today, we are chatting with Sarah Pearse about her second book The Retreat in the Detective Elin series.  She wrote The Santorium which was a Reese book club pick.   Can you imagine a universe where Agatha Christie and Stephen King collaborate on a book? That is exactly Sarah's writing style.  Take listen to our fabulous podcast chat, y'all!

The Holiday Swap is a feel-good, holiday rom-com about identical twins who swap lives twelve days before Christmas. All they want for Christmas is a different life. This holiday rom-com is the PERFECT way to get in the holiday spirit.  The Holiday Swap has the vibe of a Hallmark holiday movie...need I say more?! Take a listen to my chat with one of the two authors behind the pen name Maggie Knox.   Happy holidays, y'all! 

EIGHT PERFECT HOURS is a romance and starts with a meet-cute in a usually very unromantic place. This book is about destiny, timing, and how one choice can change the trajectory of your whole life. Lia Louis and I talk about mental health in a big way as it's front and center for many of the characters in her book.  Take a listen, y'all!

Every month, a letter. That's what Lauren decides to leave her husband when she finds out she's dying. Each month, she gives Josh a letter containing a task to help him face this first year without her, leading him on a heartrending, beautiful, often humorous journey to find happiness again.  PACK UP THE MOON totally stole my heart this Summer!   Kristan Higgins delivers a heartbreaking love story with a happy ending - just not the one you expect.  Take a listen to our podcast chat, y'all! 

It's a “gripping”  mystery about a woman who thinks she's found the love of her life—until he disappears. Before Owen Michaels disappears, he smuggles a note to his beloved wife of one year: Protect her.  Laura Dave joins me today to kick off Season 5 of the podcast.  The LAST THING HE TOLD ME was a Reese Book Club pick...and it's soon to be an Apple TV limited series starring and co-produced by Julia Roberts. Take a listen to our fabulous chat!  

Did you follow Amanda Kloots' story last year about her husband Nick Cordero's public battle with COVID-19 and tragic death?  It made headlines around the world. Amanda Kloots and I chat during this podcast about her book Live Your Life.  This book brings out all the feelings for Amanda, Anna, Biggie, their entire family AND honestly all of us collectively.  I cried, laughed, cried some more and just hugged my man harder and longer after reading this book.   We talk about early covid days, the angels that kept showing up in Amanda's life and how important a daily sweat is to her mental health.    Take a listen to our chat. 

Sarah Pearse joins me today from South Devon in the UK. Y’all, we had SO MUCH FUN!!   Can you imagine a universe where Agatha Christie and Stephen King collaborate on a book?  Well, THAT book has come to life in the form of The Sanatorium!  It was a February pick for Reese’s book club and it’s been a wild ride for Sarah ever since. We talk about her plans for a trilogy and some BIG, BIG news coming down the pike!  You don’t want to miss this podcast chat.  It may be my favorite one yet!!!

Jill Santopolo is back with another enticing tale of love, passion and the power of choice with EVERYTHING AFTER.  Her first adult novel The Light We Lost was published in 2017.  It became an instant New York Times bestseller.  The Light We Lost earned a spot on Reese Witherspoon’s book club AND has been optioned for film.   Take a listen to our chat, y’all! 

Calling all my historical fiction fans!  Patti Callahan has done it again with Surviving Savannah!  It has been called "The Titanic of the South." The luxury steamship sank in 1838 with Savannah's elite on board; through time, their fates were forgotten--until the wreck was found, and now their story is finally being told in this breathtaking novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis. Take a listen, y’all! 

Three generations. Two chicken shacks. One recipe for disaster.  Can you say page turner?    The Chicken Sisters was an instant New York Times bestseller after it became the December 2020 pick for Reese Witherspoon’s book club! Oh me oh my...I thoroughly enjoyed this chat with KJ Dell’Antonio.  Take a listen. 

For fans of Sorry to Bother You and The Wolf of Wall Street—a crackling, satirical debut novel about a young man given a shot at stardom as the lone Black salesman at a mysterious, cult-like, and wildly successful startup where nothing is as it seems. Mateo Askaripour joins me today to discuss Black Buck.  This book explores ambition, race and freedom.  He reads the author’s note from the book WHICH sets the tone and pace for the entire book.  I LOVED this fast paced, suspenseful book!! Take a listen to our chat.     

Y’all this interview is the BEST way for us to kickoff Season 4 off.  Jennifer Probst and I discuss her wonderful book Our Italian Summer.  It had me at Italy!!!   We chat about our favorite cities in Italy, happy beginnings, wanderlust and how fabulous rescue dogs are.   Take a listen to our chat.  I KNOW you are going to LOVE it!

This is a moving, joyful love story, This Time Next Year explores the way fate leads us to the people we least expect--no matter what the odds. If you only read one book over the holiday break, you MUST read Sophie Cousens’ debut novel THIS TIME NEXT YEAR.  This book is the Good Morning America December book club pick AND has been compared to Love Actually, Sleepless in Seattle and Knotting Hill. Enjoy, y’all!

Raise your hand if you are a dog person like today’s guest and me.  The one and only W Bruce Cameron joins me today to discuss his latest book A Dog’s Perfect Christmas. I adored this book!   Let me brag about Bruce for a second...He is an author, screenwriter, producer and speaker.  Bruce is perhaps best known as the #1 USA TODAY and #1 New York Times Bestselling author of a book series, A Dog’s Purpose.  Y’all are going to LOVE this wonderful podcast chat.  Take a listen now. 

The one and only Elin Hilderbrand joins me today to discuss Troubles In Paradise which is the final book in her Paradise trilogy set in St John.  Elin has hit the #1 spot of the New York Times bestseller list numerous times!   We discuss her favorite recent read, what city is synonymous with who she is, her favorite holiday movie and the annual “Elin Hilderbrand Bucket List weekend” in January on Nantucket.  Y’all are going to LOVE this trilogy and our podcast chat!  This trilogy is the perfect read during the holiday season to unplug, escape and relax.  Take a listen now. 

Is anyone else kicking off all things Christmas a bit early this year?  Me too...starting with this chat with “the official storyteller of Christmas." Debbie Macomber joins me today to discuss her latest holiday book JINGLE ALL THE WAY. Debbie and I discuss her career highlight, how an intern is responsible for her Hallmark Movie career, her word for 2020 and how she started writing.  Drumroll please for Debbie Macomber...

What if you found out that your family isn’t yours at all? How far would you go to protect them? A gripping new psychological thriller from the bestselling author of The Girl Before. . . . JP Delaney joins me today to discus his latest book PLAYING NICE!  We discuss how this book is an immediate deep plunge for the readers, life in Oxford, how he has a bit of an identity crisis and what it was like raising 7 lab puppies this Summer. 

Hey y’all!  Jennie Fields joins me today discuss her wonderful book ATOMIC LOVE.  We chat up our dogs who all have middle names, a history lesson on the Manhattan project, what surprised her the most in her research, falling in love with the FBI agent and how love truly heals!    Love. Desire. Espionage. Rosalind Porter’s choice could save a nation.  ATOMIC LOVE is about a former Manhattan Project physicist who’s approached by an FBI agent to spy on her ex-lover, Thomas Weaver.  Weaver not only left Rosalind but he also ruined her career.  Now, five years after the war, the FBI suspects Weaver of selling atomic secrets to the Russians. Y’all, I absolutely loved this book and our podcast chat.  Take a listen now!

Jodi Picoult is the #1 bestselling author of twenty-five novels and the acclaimed #1 bestseller Small Great Things.  Her most recent novel, A SPARK OF LIGHT, published on October 2, 2018, was her tenth consecutive instant #1 New York Times bestseller. Picoult’s books have been translated into thirty-four languages in thirty-five countries. Four novels – The Pact, Plain Truth, The Tenth Circle, and Salem Falls - have been made into television movies.  My Sister’s Keeper was a film released from New Line Cinema, starring Cameron Diaz. And last but not least, SMALL GREAT THINGS has been optioned for motion picture adaptation and is set to star Julia Roberts.  Jodi is here today to discuss her riveting, latest novel about the choices that change the course of our lives called The Book of Two Ways. So pretty much since like day 1 of the podcast, I’ve wanted to get Jodi Picoult on the podcast...and today’s it FINALLY happening. Can you say sit on hands excited!  Here it is y’all…..

Kerri Maher joins me today to discuss THE GIRL IN WHITE GLOVES.  Maher beautifully envisions Grace Kelly’s fairy-tale life. This deeply researched novel is perfect for fans of Grace Kelly, royal-watchers, and fans of biographical fiction alike. I hope y’all enjoy this podcast chapter.  It was a blast to record. Happy listening, my friends!

Today, I teamed up with my BFF.  Christine Graham joins me for World Suicide Prevention Day is TODAY (September 10th)!  Christine is a LCSW and the Vice President and Chief Clinical Services Officer at Stars Behavioral Health Group. Did you know that 1 in 5 adults will experience mental illness this year?  We discuss how we can all change this stigma!    The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline telephone number is 1-800-273-8255. Available 24x7. Crisis Text Line, text HOME to 741741. Let’s shatter the silence together >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRo5Db_7yVI&feature=youtu.be

Hey y’all!  It’s been a minute.  We took the summer off from podcasting which was simply divine.  Today, we kickoff Season 3 of Just One More Chapter Podcast.  How is that EVEN possible?   We recently celebrated our 1 year anniversary for the podcast!   I’m super excited to be back podcasting.  This season is going to be oh so good! The hilarious Amy Poeppel joins us today to discuss her sweet book MUSICAL CHAIRS.  MUSICAL CHAIRS is described as “a love letter to modern family life with all of its discord and harmony. Musical Chairs is an irresistibly romantic story of role reversals, reinvention, and sweet synchronicity.” Take a listen to this podcast chapter, y’all! You can also watch her hilarious book trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IffxAo-QMh4 

I love having authors back on the show.  We got the band back together for this podcast chapter...Luanne G Smith and I discuss her latest book The Glamourist which is the second book in the The Vine Witch trilogy! 

Fifteen years ago, five ordinary teenagers were singled out by a prophecy to take down an impossibly powerful entity wreaking havoc across North America. He was known as the Dark One, and his weapon of choice—catastrophic events known as Drains—leveled cities and claimed thousands of lives. Chosen Ones, as the teens were known, gave everything they had to defeat him. After the Dark One fell, the world went back to normal . . . for everyone but them. After all, what do you do when you’re the most famous people on Earth, your only education was in magical destruction, and your purpose in life is now fulfilled? Veronica Roth joins me today to discuss her latest book CHOSEN ONES. This interview is pure joy!  Veronica is a really big deal having written the Divergent Series….which went on to become movies.  Chosen Ones has the best plot twist ever. 

We're bringing this FABULOUS podcast chat back from Season 1.  Luanne Smith joins Katie McCormick today to discuss her debut novel THE VINE WITCH. The book is pure magic quite literally.  It’s been described by Forbes as “A grown-up fairy tale with a twisty-turn-y storyline of magic, love and betrayal that holds your attention. A great book to read while savoring a glass of wine”.  Luanne is coming back on the show in a few weeks to discuss her second book in the THE VINE WITCH trilogy called THE GLAMOURIST. Enjoy, y'all!  

Y’all the Queen of Beach Reads, Mary Kay Andrews joins me today to discuss this Summer’s blockbuster beach read called HELLO SUMMER!   Who else is ready for beach reads and Summertime? 

We're going way, way back to our very first podcast chapter chat with the one and only Stuart Woods. We chat about his 50th Stone Barrington novel, Contraband.  Stuart gets super personal and answers questions that he has never answered in an interview!  I hope y'all enjoy this archive.  (You can tell it was our very first one by the production quality....thankfully, we have come a long way on that front!)

"On a cold, rainy morning, finance journalist Ally Linden arrives soaked to the bone at her Manhattan office, only to find that she’s forgotten her keycard. When her boss shows, he’s shocked to see her—because, he explains, she hasn’t worked there in five years." Not only do you fall in love with Ally...but you are dying to find out what happened while Ally was missing for 48 hours! Dun dun duuuuun! Kate White joins me today to discuss HAVE YOU SEEN ME.  Kate is the New York Times bestselling author of fourteen suspense novels. She was the editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine for 14 years.  My cheeks hurt after this interview from smiling and laughing.  Enjoy, y’all! 

“I want to create moments that make us feel united with other Earthlings, without the dogmas that divides us.  Religion, at its best, facilitates empathy, gratitude and awe. Science, at its best, reveals true grandeur beyond our wildest dreams.  My hope is that I can merge these into some new thing that will serve my daughter, my family and you, dear reader, as we navigate - and celebrate - the mysterious beauty and terror of being alive in our universe” This week is my birthday week so it seems oh so appropriate to pull this one from the archives.  I bet you too will want to be friends with Sasha Sagan after listening!  

Oh me oh my….This one is a pinch me moment.  Chris Bohjalian joins me today to discuss his latest ticking tock thriller book THE RED LOTUS...and he’s kind of a BIG DEAL.  Chris  is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 21 books. His work has been translated into 35 languages and three books have become movies. His last novel, "The Flight Attendant," is becoming a limited TV series, starring Kaley Cuoco.  Enjoy, y’all!

My podcast chat with Lisa Jewell is one of our most popular podcast chapters EVER...so we're bringing it back from the archives today!   “The significance of Libby Jones 25th birthday is bigger than she could ever imagine.  Soon after her twenty-fifth birthday, Libby Jones returns home from work to find the letter she’s been waiting for her entire life. She rips it open with one driving thought: I am finally going to know who I am.”  

Y’all Dean Koontz joins me today to discuss his latest book DEVOTED, his Kryptonite food and being a home body.  Dean is my first podcast guest to make a second appearance. This is one podcast chapter that you don’t want to miss!  Enjoy, my friends!

Driving home one rainy night, Cassie Larkin sees a man and woman fighting on the side of the road. After calling 911, the veterinarian makes a split-second decision that will throw her sedate suburban life into chaos. Against all reason and advice, she gets out of her minivan and chases after the violent man, trying to help his victim. When Cassie physically tries to stop him, he suddenly turns on her and spits out an ominous threat: “Let her die, and I’ll let you live.” Can you say jaw-dropping good?   I absolutely LOVED every twist and turn in Heather Chavez’ debut novel NO BAD DEED! 

This one was one of my favorite books in 2019...and podcast chats!  Enjoy this gem for the archives, y'all! Holy shit, y’all! I am so late to the game with MAYBE YOU SHOULD TALK TO SOMEONE by Lori Gottlieb. I laughed and donkey cried with this one. It normalizes us all. Whether you love therapy...or wonder what it’s all about. This is one book that EVERYONE needs to read! Lori and I discuss latest updates about the book becoming a TV series, her recent Ted Talk and new podcast coming in 2020! Take a listen to our conversation, my friends!

Today, we're bringing this one back from the archives.  Take a listen to learn about this game-changing solution and finding your "unicorn space!" Hey y’all!  Eve Rodsky joins me today to discuss her BRILLIANT book Fair Play.  This book is a game-changing solution for when you have too much to do...and more life to live.  It’s the first-of-it’s-kind collaboration with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine media company.  This is one book that I suggest you buy right this moment….and I mean now...then go to listen to our conversation and find our more about “unicorn space!’  Enjoy, my friends!!

A total stranger on the subway platform whispers, “Take my baby.”  She places her child in your arms. She says your name. Then she jumps… Y’all, Samantha Bailey’s WOMAN ON THE EDGE reminds me of an old school Agatha Christie mystery thriller.  At one point, EVERYONE was a suspect. I could not put it down. PSA: Order it now and clear your calendar! 

Sarah-Jane Stratford joins me today to discuss her WONDERFUL book RED LETTER DAYS.  Honestly, I didn’t know much about the McCarthyism era and the affects it had on people of that time.  It BLEW MY MIND!!  I fell in love with the characters and plot more with every page that I turned.  By the end of the book, I boycotted the book because it just could NOT end yet. I can see Claire Danes and Margot Robbie playing the main characters WHEN it becomes a movie!  Take a listen to our podcast chat, y'all!

This is a little gift from me on a Tuesday filled with LOTS OF LAUGHTER pulled from our archives.   Oh my y’all...the New York Times best selling author Celia Rivenbark joins me today to discuss her book Rude Bitches Make Me Tired. Celia lives in my hometown of Wilmington, NC...so this was my first in-person interview for the podcast. We literally laughed during our entire conversation.  Enjoy, y'all!

“A breathtaking epic novel illuminating the hopes, desires, and destinies of princesses and peasants, harlots and wives, fanatics and philosophers--seven unforgettable women whose paths cross during one of the most tumultuous events in history: the French Revolution. Ribbons of Scarlet is a timely story of the power of women to start a revolution--and change the world.” Today, I have a few Scarlet Sisters on the podcast show. Drumroll for Kate Quinn, Eliza Knight and Heather Webb….

Y'all, we're bringing this gem back from the archives.  Last fall, Dean Koontz joined me to discuss his latest book NAMELESS.  PSA: He's coming back on the show in March to discuss DEVOTED.  I'm jumping for JOY over here.   NAMELESS is the first of its kind, a deliciously binge-able, standalone collection of stories featuring the same character, where each episode reveals new truths about this mysterious man, who has no name and seemingly no past.   Fourteen of Dean’s novels have risen to number one on the New York Times hardcover bestseller list…..making him one of only a dozen writers ever to have achieved this milestone. He’s sold over 500 million copies of his books worldwide.  

A gripping thriller about three young girlfriends, a dark obsession, and a chilling crime that shakes up a quiet Iowa town! BEFORE SHE WAS FOUND is a timely thriller about friendship and betrayal, about the power of social pressure and the price of needing to fit in. It is about the great lengths a parent will go to protect their child and keep them safe - even if that means burying the truth, no matter the cost. I am SO EXCITED to have Heather Gudenkauf on the show today to discuss BEFORE SHE WAS FOUND!  Spoiler Alert: We talk about Heather's dog Lolo and my dog #IzzieApple

Today is a very special milestone for Just One More Chapter Podcast!  It’s our FIRST EVER crossover podcast chapter with my friend Rebecca Warfield from Dharma Drops. Yes..a crossover podcast just like they do on TV!  In today’s episode, we talk about two “intentional living/ yoga-centric” books - YOU ARE A BADASS AT MAKING MONEY by Jen Sincero and YEAR OF YES by Shonda Rhimes.   Have you read these books? They are so damn good. You are going to LOVE our crossover podcast! Take a listen, my friends! Check out Dharma Drops at https://dharmadropspodcast.com/

Aren’t books just one of the greatest gifts ever?  I know they are for me.  I love that feeling when I find a book that I CAN NOT put down…and that’s why I LOVE Little Free Library.   Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community, and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world.  Through Little Free Library, millions of books are exchanged each year, profoundly increasing access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds.  There are over 90,000 libraries in over 100 countries.   Take a listen to my conversation with Margret Aldrich from Little Free Library.  I hope you enjoy this chat as much as I do!

“In this masterful exploration of one of the greatest love stories of modern times, we meet a brilliant writer, a fiercely independent mother, and a passionate woman who changed the life of the respected author CS Lewis (a.k.a. Jack). Joy Davidman lived at a time when women weren’t meant to have a voice—and yet her love for Jack gave them both voices they didn’t know they had.  At once a fascinating historical novel and a glimpse into a writer’s life, Becoming Mrs. Lewis is above all a love story—a love of literature, ideas and a love between a husband and wife.” Y’all, rush out to get BECOMING MRS LEWIS! This is the most EPIC and improbable love story EVER. This book touches your heart and soul. Take a listen to my chat with Patti Callahan. 

“The significance of Libby Jones 25th birthday is bigger than she could ever imagine.  Soon after her twenty-fifth birthday, Libby Jones returns home from work to find the letter she’s been waiting for her entire life. She rips it open with one driving thought: I am finally going to know who I am.” Y’all, this is a pinch me moment!  Lisa Jewell’s latest book THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS was the #1 Christmas book of 2019.  This is a must-read, five star book. I could NOT put it down. Drumroll please for Lisa Jewell...

“I want to create moments that make us feel united with other Earthlings, without the dogmas that divides us.  Religion, at its best, facilitates empathy, gratitude and awe. Science, at its best, reveals true grandeur beyond our wildest dreams.  My hope is that I can merge these into some new thing that will serve my daughter, my family and you, dear reader, as we navigate - and celebrate - the mysterious beauty and terror of being alive in our universe” Y’all, we’re kicking off 2020 and Season 2 with the one and only Sasha Sagan.  Sasha joins me today to discuss her wonderful book FOR SMALL CREATURES SUCH AS WE.   Enjoy, my friends!

Holy shit, y’all! I am so late to the game with MAYBE YOU SHOULD TALK TO SOMEONE by Lori Gottlieb. I laughed and donkey cried with this one. It normalizes us all. Whether you love therapy...or wonder what it’s all about. This is one book that EVERYONE needs to read! Lori and I discuss latest updates about the book becoming a TV series, her recent Ted Talk and new podcast coming in 2020! Take a listen to our conversation, my friends!

Karen White joins me today!  We discuss the long-anticipated gift to Karen’s fans...this holiday season she released her first ever Christmas novel which is the newest installment in the beloved Charleston-set Tradd Street series, THE CHRISTMAS SPIRITS ON TRADD STREET!   This book is the perfect way to get you in the holiday spirit! I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as we did!

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY is quoted as saying: “Beatriz Williams’ particular gift as a writer is peeling back the pages of history to breathe life into the interior lives of women — how they lived, loved, and lost within the expectations and limitations of their time.” I couldn’t agree with this review more!  In this much-anticipated sequel to The Wicked City, the dazzling Ginger Kelly brings us another Jazz Age tale of rumrunners, double crosses and true love. Two women, two generations with two urgent quests.  I guarantee you will fall in love with Ginger and Ella in THE WICKED REDHEAD... just like I did!!  

NAMELESS is the first of its kind, a deliciously binge-able, standalone collection of stories featuring the same character, where each episode reveals new truths about this mysterious man, who has no name and seemingly no past.   Y’all this is definitely a pinch me moment!  The legendary Dean Koontz joins me today. Fourteen of Dean’s novels have risen to number one on the New York Times hardcover bestseller list…..making him one of only a dozen writers ever to have achieved this milestone. He’s sold over 500 million copies of his books worldwide. Take a listen to our conversation...we also have a special announcement at the end! 

“On a scorching hot day in July 1936, thousands of people cheered as the U.S. Olympic teams boarded the S.S. Manhattan, bound for Berlin. Among the athletes were the 14 players representing the first-ever U.S. Olympic basketball team. As thousands of supporters waved American flags on the docks, it was easy to miss the one courageous man holding a BOYCOTT NAZI GERMANY sign. But it was too late for a boycott now; the ship had already left the harbor.” Andrew Maraniss joins me today to discuss his AMAZING book GAMES OF DECEPTION!  I LOVED this book. All of my history buffs and basketball fans will be over the moon reading this book!  Enjoy, my friends!